Nick Suriano (Photo/Juan Garcia)Nick Suriano will be able to wrestle at Rutgers University this fall, after all.
The Big Ten has granted the former Penn State wrestler an immediate eligibility waiver, meaning the New Jersey high school mat star will not be required to sit out a season before wrestling for the Scarlet Knights, according to NJ.com.
On Sunday the conference that's home to both Penn State and Rutgers approved a waiver request that clears Suriano's transfer without his having to lose a year of eligibility, sources told NJ Advance Media.
Earlier this summer, there were reports that Penn State would block any attempt by Suriano to leave the program. However, the PSU athletic department released a statement saying they had granted him his release from the program. From there it was up to the Big Ten on whether or not Suriano would have to sit out one season before being able to return to action.
After nearly a month, the Big Ten Academics and Eligibility subcommittee ruled in favor of Suriano on Sunday.
Once Suriano's enrollment at Rutgers is finalized, he will most likely be considered as a sophomore, eligible to wrestle for three full seasons ... and with the potential of three national titles. As InterMat reported Aug. 8, the original deal would have had Suriano sit out the 2017-18 season, limiting his eligibility to just two seasons.
Suriano will likely face his former teammates when Penn State comes to Rutgers for a dual meet on Jan. 28, 2018.
As a Penn State wrestler, Suriano compiled a 16-3 record at 125 pounds during his freshman season in 2016-17.
Suriano is arguably one of the all-time great wrestlers to come out of New Jersey. Wrestling for Bergen Catholic High School, Suriano compiled a perfect 159-0 record, racking up four NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association) titles. He also won numerous individual championships at national tournaments such as Super 32 and Beast of the East.
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