"These three will address immediate lineup needs for us," said assistant coach John Leonardis. "We feel they will fit in well with our current team and will add to the chemistry of the squad. All three have aspirations of being NCAA Champions. DellaFave is one of the best wrestlers in New Jersey, but we also went out of state to get Buchholz and Pagnotta. We felt it was important for us to get guys from outside the state of New Jersey and we are excited to see what they can bring to Rutgers wrestling."
Buchholz wrestles at 215-pounds for Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, Pa. He finished his junior season with a remarkable record of 41-3, taking fourth-place in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association AAA State Championships. Buchholz also plays football for PVHS, earning all-area honors last season.
DellaFave is a 119-pounder from Toms River East High School in Toms River, N.J., and is projected to wrestle at either 125 or 133 for the Scarlet Knights. He is a three-time New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) placewinner, winning the championship in 2008, finishing third in 2007 and second in 2006. DellaFave took fourth in the 2008 Junior National Freestyles and sixth at the 2007 Super 32.
Pagnotta is a 189-pounder who is projected to wrestle at 184-pounds for Rutgers. He enters his senior year with a career record of 119-25, including 39 pins. In 2007-08 he finished 46-3 en route to winning his second straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament title as well as his first private school state title. He is a three-time Mount Mat Madness placewinner and a two-time National Prep placewinner.
The Scarlet Knights return to the mat on Nov. 23, for the Sprawl & Brawl in Binghamton, N.Y. Rutgers will be competing against Columbia, North Carolina, Boise State and Clarion.
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