Christian Colucci (Photo/Lehigh Athletics)PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers wrestling announced the addition of heavyweight Christian Colucci to its roster. The Lehigh University transfer is immediately eligible for the 2018-19 season and will have two seasons of eligibility for the Scarlet Knights.
"He's a really athletic heavyweight who understands positioning really well," said head coach Scott Goodale. "He received really good training when he was at Lehigh. He'll be pushed by some of the guys we have, but this is a guy who can win at a really high level and score points at the national tournament."
In two seasons with the Mountain Hawks, Colucci finished with a 20-6 varsity record, which included an 8-2 mark during the 2017-18 season. This past year, Colucci picked up dual wins against Princeton and Navy and captured the Wilkes Open. The heavyweight compiled a 12-4 varsity mark as a freshman during the 2016-17 campaign.
A Summit, New Jersey native, Colucci secured a 2015 NJSIAA state title at 220 pounds for St. Peter's Prep. The three-time region and district champion finished his Garden State high school career with 112 wins, including a 31-3 mark with 16 pins and two tech falls as a senior en route to a state title. Colucci was also the Hudson County Wrestler and Scholar-Athlete of the Year at St. Peter's and finished third at the Super 32 and fourth at the Beast of the East.
Rutgers returns three national qualifiers from this past season after the Scarlet Knights produced their best team finish at the NCAA Championships in 2018, finishing 11th with 42.5 points. The historic result also included the program's first national finalist in Nick Suriano as well as a sixth-place finisher in Scott DelVecchio, as the Scarlet Knights earned multiple All-Americans for the third consecutive year under Goodale.
Three-time All-American Anthony Ashnault also returns to the lineup in 2018-19 after he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. In total, six wrestlers with NCAA Championships experience will be available for Goodale next season.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers wrestling, follow the program on Twitter (@RUWrestling) and Instagram (@RUWrestling). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com. For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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