Chletsos always felt a connection to Rutgers
Notre Dame Green Pond junior commits to New Jersey university
Brandan Chletsos loves the atmosphere at wrestling matches at the Rutgers Athletic Center and had teammates recruited by head coach Scott Goodale and other Scarlet Knights staff members.
The Notre Dame-Green Pond junior knewRutgers would be an option for him.
Since June 15, the first day of the live recruiting period, Chletsos knew Rutgers was the best option.
“As soon as I talked to Coach Goodale,” Chletsos said, “it sparked a connection. I could tell it was different from the other coaches.”
The connection continued to develop with each Zoom and phone conversation. It led to a simple decision.
Chletsos recently announced his commitment to Rutgers. He’ll join locals Devon Britton of Northampton and CodyHarrison of Phillipsburg as well as friends Zach Pagano from Clearview (N.J.), Dylan Shawver of Elyria (Ohio) and John Poznanski of Colonia (N.J.).
“It was somewhere I felt I would be in my comfort zone,” Chletsos said. “Kids I knowin the past have tried to get out of their comfort zone in college, and then wanted to get back to it.
“I want to stay in my comfort zone.”
Chletsos also looked at North Carolina State, Wisconsin, Purdue and the United States Naval Academy. He joins fellow Notre Dame-GP junior Ryan Crookham(Lehigh) as those who have made their college commitments.
The17-year-old son of Greg and Anne Chletsos now will focus on finding the top of the PIAAWrestling Championships podium. He is a two-time state medalist for coach Matt Veres’ Crusaders, finishing third last March after an 8-6 semifinal loss to eventual runner-upRyanMichaels of Elizabeth Forward at 120 pounds.
“After that [loss at states], I was definitely disappointed,” he said, “but took it as a learning experience. I talked to [Notre Dame-GP graduate Andrew] Cernigilia and coach Veres and realized that I can’t make excuses about it. I had to do the next best thing.
“I took time to figure out what to work on. It gave me that motivation to push myself harder. Honestly, [the loss] was a confidence booster. It made me want to push myself more. showed me where I can be and that I’ve got to get to next level.”
Chletsos showed progress by bouncing back to beat Bishop
McDevitt’s Nate Smith 1-0 and Eisenhower’s Logan Jaquay with an overtime pin to claim the bronze medal.
The Easton resident expects to bump up to 138 pounds this season at Notre Dame-GP. He said his focus this offseason is to
train himself to always look to be aggressive and score points regardless of the score.
“I need to push the pace more,” Chletsos said. “It’s something that separates high school wrestlers from college wrestlers. It’s what separated mefromthe next level.
“If I would have done that in almost all my matches, it would have made a difference. I need to be on the attack more, look to get that next point and not focus on the score. It’s something I really need to work on.”
Chletsos is 95-18 in two seasons at Notre Dame-GP, which opens its season Dec. 16, against Salisbury. It also hosts national powerhouse Wyoming Seminary on Jan. 9.
Two national tournaments — the Walsh Jesuit (Ohio) Ironman and Beast of the East (Delaware) are postponed, leaving Notre Dame currently with just trips to Powerade in late December at Canon-McMillan and in mid-January’s Escape the Rock at Council Rock South.