JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Nicholas Gravina, a former four-year standout on the mat at Division I Rutgers University, has been named the first-ever assistant men's wrestling coach in New Jersey City University history, head coach Harry Turner announced on September 12.
 
Gravina, a native of Allendale, N.J., was a four-time national qualifier for the Scarlet Knights from 2016-19, and the first four-time Academic All-Big Ten student-athlete in Rutgers history, graduating as a five-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient. He will be making his coaching debut at NJCU.
 
"Nick embodies everything I'm looking for in our team members, not just as an athlete but as a person," said Turner.  "His toughness, willingness to put the team ahead of himself, and commitment to community make him an ideal role model for our guys to look up to."
 
Just the sixth four-time national qualifier in program history, Gravina collected 77 career varsity victories during his collegiate career. He began his career in the 165-pound weight class before finishing at 184 pounds. Along the way, he earned an appearance in the 2017 NCAA 'Round of 12' and was a two-time Big Ten Championships placewinner, placing fourth in 2016 and sixth in 2019.
 
Gravina was a three-time Midlands Championships placewinner (sixth-2017, sixth-2016, eighth-2015) and claimed the 2016 East Stroudsburg Open Championship. He had a final collegiate mark of 77-35.
 
His career culminated with being honored by the Big Ten Conference as Rutgers University's Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winner. Two Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners are selected annually from each institution among student-athletes who distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
 
Off the mat, he was a Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative of the men's wrestling program for five years (2014-19). He completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2017 with an impressive 3.73 grade point average and completed his eligibility while earning a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology.
 
A 2013 graduate of Northern Highlands Regional High School, Gravina was a two-time NHSCA All-American during his freshman and junior seasons and chalked up an astounding career record of 148-12. He was a four-time District V, Region II and Bergen County champion for the Highlanders while wrestling at the 103, 125, 145 and 152 weight classes.
 
Turner will continue to announce additional members of his inaugural coaching staff throughout the month of September.
 
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COLLEGE TRANSACTION: 
 
NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY—Named Nicholas Gravina as the school's first-ever assistant men's wrestling coach.