Minnesota at Rutgers | 2018 NCAA Wrestling

#1 Nick Suriano's Next Test Comes Against #8 Ethan Lizak

#1 Nick Suriano's Next Test Comes Against #8 Ethan Lizak

It’s been a tough year for returning NCAA runner-up Ethan Lizak, and it looks like it’s about to get a little tougher Friday night against #1 Nick Suriano.

Feb 9, 2018 by Ryan Holmes
#1 Nick Suriano's Next Test Comes Against #8 Ethan Lizak

It’s been a challenging year for returning NCAA runner-up Ethan Lizak, and it looks like it’s about to get a little tougher Friday night in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Up next for Minnesota's 125-pounder is a matchup against top-ranked Nick Suriano of Rutgers, who beat Lizak 8-6 in last year's meeting between the two. A lot has changed since then, but one thing is for sure — this is an important match for both wrestlers.

While Lizak, a junior, is hoping to get back to his NCAA finalist form, Suriano is looking to further solidify his position atop the rankings after missing NCAAs as a freshman due to a late-season injury.

Watch #19 Minnesota at #13 Rutgers Live!

WHEN: Friday | TIME: 7 PM EST | Where: Piscataway, NJ

Lizak’s top game is what separates himself from his opponents, and it can be where he can control things against Suriano. However, that will certainly not be an easy task. 

Aside from Lizak and Suriano's bout, there are three other ranked vs. ranked matchups during this Big Ten dual meet between the visiting #19 Gophers and 13th-ranked Scarlet Knights, including #7 Nick Wanzek vs. #11 Richie Lewis at 165lb.

Watch #1 Nick Suriano dominate PSU's Devin Schnupp:

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Projected Lineups

125: #8 Ethan Lizak (Minnesota) vs. #1 Nick Suriano (Rutgers)

133: #13 Mitch McKee (Minnesota) vs. #16 Scott Delvecchio (Rutgers)

141: #11 Tommy Thorn (Minnesota) vs. Mike Van Brill (Rutgers)

149: #19 Steve Bleise (Minnesota) vs. #12 Eleazar DeLuca (Rutgers)

157: Jake Short (Minnesota) vs. #20 John Van Brill (Rutgers)

165: #7 Nick Wanzek (Minnesota) vs. #11 Richie Lewis (Rutgers)

174: Chris Pfarr (Minnesota) vs. Joe Grello (Rutgers)

184: Brandon Krone (Minnesota) vs. #13 Nick Gravina (Rutgers)

197: Dylan Anderson (Minnesota) vs. Anthony Messner (Rutgers)

285: Rylee Streifel (Minnesota) vs. Razohnn Gross (Rutgers)