JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The New Jersey City University men's wrestling team hits the mat for the 2021-22 campaign starting on Sunday, Nov. 7, at the Rutgers Scarlet Knight Quad in Piscataway, N.J. The Gothic Knights, led by third-year head coach Harry Turner, will be competing in their first full season in NJCU history, since last year's inaugural season was abbreviated short.

"We're excited and pumped to get a full season of competition this year with the addition of our Gothic Knight fans," said Turner. "It's great for the team to have that kind of support in the JMAC, and it's great for the sport of wrestling as whole. Our fans should look for this all-New Jersey-product roster that has roots to our city and is hungry to compete. We have a lot of local talent and we are excited to show off what New Jersey wrestling is all about."

The Knights will be relying on several of their newcomers to have an instant impact on the mat. Freshman Andre Ruiz (Little Ferry, N.J./Ridgefield Park), a transfer from nationally-ranked Johnson and Wales University, will look to make an early impact at 133 pounds. Ruiz is the all-time wins leader at Ridgefield Park High School with an overall record of 140-27 and placed ninth at N.J. State Championships as a senior.

Junior Enrique Cuevas (New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick) is a transfer from Middlesex County College and Springfield Technical Community College and he could see immediate time this season. Cuevas will be wrestling in the 133 pound division and looking to make an impact for the Gothic Knights.

Freshman Seth Rotondella (Keansburg, N.J./Saint John Vianney) out of Saint John VIanney High School wrestled at the same club as current-NJCU assistant coach Jason Ecklof. The 141-pounder was a four-year captain was a two-time district champion runner-up. Also looking to making an impact will be West Orange, N.J., product and 125-pounder Damienlee Torres (West Orange, N.J./West Orange). The rookie placed three times at N.J. State Regionals, plaed second at district championships and third at counties.

Senior Kyle Hillermeier (Howell, N.J./Freehold Township) will be a standout component in leading the Gothic Knights to postseason success. Hillermeier had an outstanding junior campaign, amassing a 4-2 record at 197 pounds, including one pin and one tech fall. The senior ended the last season by advancing to the second round of 16 at the National Wrestling Coaching Association (NWCA) Nationals. Junior Jeff Johnson (Middlesex, N.J./Middlesex), who is a NCAA Division I transfer from Scared Heart University and Rutgers University, will also be a major leader this season after having his 2020-21 year cut short due to injury. Johnson went 1-1 before his season was cut short. This year, he will be competing at 157 and 165 pounds for the Green & Gold.

"I'm excited to see our leadership with Kyle and Jeff as our captains this season," said Turner. "With their age, experience and leadership style, I think it will mesh perfectly with our talented group of newcomers we have here."

They are joined by junior 165-pounder Matthew Armamento (Kenilworth, N.J./Roselle Park) as the final tri-captain.

Sophomore George Rivera (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) will be a huge piece to the Gothic Knights in the 2021 lineup. He won over 100 matches at Teaneck High School and also competed in the Sparta Cup in P.R. The 125 pounder had one victory before his season was abbreviated short. Ty Bailey (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant Boro) is another hungry sophomore looking to gain momentum from his body of work last season on the mat. Bailey, at 165 and 174 pounds, amassed a 4-4 record for NJCU as a freshman, winning three matches by fall. Bailey reached the first round of eight at NWCA Nationals.

The Gothic Knights only graduated one key grappler from last season — Rob Cleary at 149 pounds. Clearly, a transfer from Division I Rider University and Rutgers University — defeated Logan Dubuque of the Castleton University Spartans in a 13-8 decision on Friday, Jan. 30, to put NJCU on the board with their first three dual match points in program history.

The Edison, N.J., native has joined the Knights' coaching staff for the 2021-22 season as a graduate assistant coach. 

As stated, the the Gothic Knights will finally hit the mat on Sunday, Nov. 7, in Piscataway for the Rutgers Scarlet Knight Quad versus a trio of Division I foes. NJCU faces off with host Rutgers University at 10:00 a.m. Their match against the Scarlet Knights will be available to watch live on Big 10 Plus network. Then, they will face off with Binghamton University at 11:30 a.m. Following the match against the Bearcats, the Green & Gold will wrap up the quad with a match against Cleveland State University at 1:00 p.m.