Nick Suriano
![]() Suriano after the 2018 NCAA championships | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Nicholas Raymond Suriano | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | ![]() | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Paramus, New Jersey, U.S | April 14, 1997||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 125 lb (57 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Event(s) | Freestyle and folkstyle | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Club | NYCRTC NJRTC | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Coached by | Sean Bormet | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Nicholas Raymond Suriano (born April 14, 1997) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 57 kilograms.[1] In freestyle, he claimed the 2021 Henri Deglane Grand Prix gold medal and the 2021 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series silver medal.[2][3] As a folkstyle wrestler, Suriano was the 2019 NCAA Division I National champion (runner-up in 2018) and Big Ten Conference champion out of Rutgers University.[4] He will represent the Michigan Wolverines in his last year of collegiate wrestling.[5]
Folkstyle career[]
High school[]
Suriano was born and raised in the state of New Jersey, where he played football as a defensive back in his youth and was introduced to wrestling by his father at age seven. At age 12, he quit the sport of football to focus solely in wrestling.[6] Suriano then attended Bergen Catholic High School and became one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the history of his home state. He accumulated eight NJSIAA overall state titles, four individuals and four team championships, being the first NJ wrestler to do so. He also graduated undefeated with a record of 159 victories and no defeats.[7]
College[]
After his legendary run in high school, Suriano committed to the Pennsylvania State University to wrestle as a Nittany Lion for Cael Sanderson.[8]
2016–2017[]
As a freshman, Suriano compiled 16 victories and 3 defeats (two of the losses were by injury default) with notable wins over the season's NCAA champion and finalist Darian Cruz and Ethan Lizak, the season's B1G runner–up Tim Lambert and eventual NCAA DII National runner–up Jose Rodriguez. He was the third seed at the NCAAs, however, he suffered a broken ankle in a dual match against Nick Piccininni and was unable to compete at the Big Ten Conference championships and at the NCAA championships.[9]
2017–2018[]
After his injury, Suriano decided to transfer from PSU to Rutgers University for multiple reasons and started wrestling as a Scarlet Knight starting since his sophomore year.[10] He had a highly successful run in his first year in the new college, ending the season with 25 wins and a lone loss and compiling notable victories during regular season over eventual three–time All-American Sebastian Rivera (twice) and eventual two–timers Ronnie Bresser and Zeke Moisey. At the Big Ten Championships, he won his first bout, however, he was forced to medical forfeit his next matches and was eliminated of the tournament.[11] Entering the NCAAs undefeated, he made his way to the finals by defeating four opponents, including the defending champion Darian Cruz and other two seeded wrestlers. At the finals, he faced the heavily accomplished Hawkeye Spencer Lee, whom he ended up losing to, becoming the runner–up of the tournament.[12]
2018–2019[]
In his junior season, he moved up a weight class (from 125 to 133 pounds).[13] He ended the year with a 26–3 record and notable victories in regular-season over defending MAC champion John Erneste (eventual two–time MAC champion and All-American) and eventual ACC champion Micky Phillippi. At the Big Ten Conference Championships, he defeated four opponents including future two–time All–Americans Luke Pletcher and Austin DeSanto and future three-timer Ethan Lizak without suffering a loss to become the titleholder at his division. At the NCAA Championships, he made his way to the finals doing three opponents including the heavily accomplished Stevan Mićić and once again Ethan Lizak. In the finals, he faced the also heavily decorated Daton Fix, whom he outscored 4 points to 2 in the second sudden victory period of the bout to become the champion at 133–pounds, the first in the history of Rutgers (his teammate Anthony Ashnault would become the second later in the tournament).[14]
Since winning the 2019 NCAA championship, Suriano did not compete in folkstyle wrestling for two years, despite having a year of eligibility left, having taken an Olympic redshirt for 2019–2020 and deciding not to compete in 2020–2021, focusing on his freestyle career instead.[15] On July 21, 2021, it was announced that Suriano had officially finished his career at Rutgers University and entered the transfer portal.[16]
2021–2022[]
On November 28, 2021, Suriano announced that he will represent the Michigan Wolverines during his last year of collegiate wrestling.[5]
Freestyle career[]
Suriano never competed at international freestyle tournaments prior to the Olympic redshirt he took after winning the NCAA championship in 2019. He has expressed that he isn't interested in freestyle competition as much as he is in mixed martial arts and expects to start a career in the sport after the 2020 Olympics and his last year competing in collegiate wrestling.[17][18][19][20]
2019[]
In his first freestyle match since arriving to Rutgers University, he faced '19 Pan American Champion and '18 World Championship medalist Joe Colon at the annual event Beat The Streets, on May 6.[21] He downed Colon three points to one in a big upset.[22]
At the prestigious Bill Farrell Memorial, Suriano dropped down to 57 kilograms and went on to defeat former DI All-American and two-time Big 12 Champion from Oklahoma State Eddie Klimara and Dragos Robertson from Canada in the first two matches, via technical fall, before losing to '18 NCAA champion from Wisconsin Seth Gross.[23][24] In the consolation bracket, he defeated former four-time DI All-American and '12 graduate from Minnesota Zach Sanders, '16 US University National champion and two-time DI All-American Zane Richards (technical fall), and two-time US Open National runner-up and '16 NCAA champion Nahshon Garrett, to place third.[25]
Suriano then competed at the US Nationals on December 21–22, where he defeated former DI athlete Shelton Mack and '13 US University National All-American Britain Longmire in the first two matches, before losing in a razor-close match against '19 Junior World Championship runner-up and '19 DI All-American from Cornell Vito Arujau.[26][27][28] In the consolation bracket, he once again defeated Zane Richards and added '17 NCAA champion Darian Cruz to the list by technical fall, before forfeiting in the third-place match against Arujau, to place fourth and qualify for the '20 US Olympic Team Trials.[29][30]
2020[]
Suriano was scheduled to wrestle at the 2020 US Olympic Team Trials Challenge Tournament on April 4–5 at State College, Pennsylvania.[31] However, the event was postponed along with the 2020 Summer Olympics due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[32] Both competitions were rescheduled to take place in 2021.[33][34]
2021[]
After more than a year of inactiveness in any ruleset and social spectrum,[35] Suriano competed at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France on January 16, in his first international tournament overseas.[36] In the quarterfinals, he dominantly shut down '19 European Games and '15 Junior World Champion from Azerbaijan Mahir Amiraslanov, with seven unanswered points.[2] Next, he took out '13 Junior World Championship bronze medalist from Georgia Beja Bujiashvili, four points to one to make the finals, where he outmatched Islam Bazarganov from Azerbaijan, who beat '17 World Championship runner-up from the United States Thomas Gilman in the semifinals, seven points to one, to claim the championship.[37]
Suriano then wrestled at the prestigious Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series on March 7.[38] In the first round, he was edged by '18 World Championship runner-up Nurislam Sanayev, as Sanayev received two points off Suriano grabbing fingers and a point off passiveness, against a two-point takedown from Suriano. In his next three matches, he got an injury default from Daulet Temirzhanov and decisions from three–time Junior World Champion Ahmet Peker and '19 Yasar Dogu International champion Givi Davidovi. In the gold-medal match, he got a rematch against Sanayev, whom he once again lost to, claiming the silver medal.[39][40]
Suriano was then slated to compete at the rescheduled US Olympic Team Trials in April 2–3 as the fifth seed, in an attempt to represent the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[41][42] However, it was officially announced in the day of the event, that Suriano had been forced to withdraw from the event due to a COVID-19 positive test.[43] Suriano was considered by many as one of the favorites to claim the Olympic spot despite his seed.[44]
He was then registered to come back to competition on June 8, at the prestigious Poland Open.[45] However, it was announced hours before his scheduled appearance that Suriano had withdrawn from the event for unknown reasons.[46]
Instead, he registered to come back at the 2021 US World Team Trials from September 11 to 12, intending to represent the country at the World Championships at 61 kilograms.[47] After making the quarterfinals, Suriano was upset by 2015 NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello on points, dropping his chances of a World Team spot.[48] He beat 2021 Pan American Champion Shelton Mack in the consolation bracket, but chose to forfeit his next match the next day.[49]
Freestyle record[]
NCAA record[]
Stats[]
Awards and honors[]
- 2019
Bill Farrell Memorial International (57 kg)
BTS: Grapple at the Garden Dual (61 kg)
NCAA Division I (133 lbs)[50]
Big Ten Conference (133 lbs)[51]
- 2018
NCAA Division I (125 lbs)[52]
References[]
- ^ "Nick Suriano - Wrestling". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
- ^ a b NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (2021-01-16). "Rutgers' Nick Suriano storms way to gold medal at international tournament, makes Olympic statement". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
- ^ Kosko, Nick (2019-12-22). "Nick Suriano Officially Qualifies for Olympic Trials". On the Banks. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ "Nick Suriano - Wrestling". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ a b Miller, Zach. "Nick Suriano lands at Michigan for final college wrestling season". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2021-11-28.
- ^ Thompson, Jackson. "Spotlight Knight: Nick Suriano". The Daily Targum. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ "It's Official: Nick Suriano Is Going To Rutgers". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Lanni, Patrick (2015-08-16). "Wrestling: Bergen Catholic standout Nick Suriano commits to Penn State". nj. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ "Nick Suriano found himself after injury and transfer to Rutgers". Team USA. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ "Suriano explains why he sought transfer". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Kratch, James (2018-03-04). "Suriano medical forfeits in Big Ten wrestling semis". nj. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ "2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Brackets" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- ^ Falk, Steven. "Rutgers Wrestling: Nick Suriano moves up to 133 and begins season with a pin". Asbury Park Press. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Cooper, Darren. "Nick Suriano brings Rutgers wrestling its first national title". North Jersey. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Falk, Steven; Cooper, Darren. "Nick Suriano will redshirt Rutgers wrestling season to chase Olympic dream". North Jersey. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Breitman, Aaron (2021-07-21). "Nick Suriano's career at Rutgers officially over after entering transfer portal". On the Banks. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- ^ "TheKnightReport - Nick Suriano to take on World Medalist at Beat the Streets NY". rutgers.rivals.com. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ "From NCAA to MMA: More college wrestlers are fighting on". ESPN.com. 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
- ^ "Nick Suriano fully cleared with sights set on future". ScarletNation.com. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Gallo, Ed (2019-04-01). "Five Class of 2019 Wrestling to MMA Prospects". MMASucka.com. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ "Rutgers' NCAA Champion Suriano Added To BTS 'Grapple in the Garden' May 6". NY Sports Day. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (2019-05-07). "Rutgers' Nick Suriano stuns world bronze medalist Joe Colon in freestyle return at Beat the Streets". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "USA Wrestling Events". usawrestlingevents.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "FloWrestling". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ Kosko, Nick (2019-11-17). "Nick Suriano Earns Bronze at Bill Farrell Tournament". On the Banks. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "FloWrestling". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "Lazor upsets Olympian Molinaro at Senior Nationals, freestyle quarterfinals set". InterMat. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "Wrestling's Diakomihalis and Arujau Qualify for Olympic Team Trials". Cornell University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (2019-12-22). "Rutgers' Nick Suriano qualifies for 2020 Olympic Team Trials". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "Suriano Qualifies for 2020 Olympic Trials". Rutgers University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "Wrestling: Nick Suriano punches ticket to Olympic Trials". North Jersey. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Kratch, James (2020-03-31). "USA Wrestling moves Olympic Trials to 2021 due to coronavirus pandemic | What it means". nj. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ CooperBergen, Darren. "With Olympics postponed, wrestler Suriano now focusing on his next move". recordonline.com. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
- ^ Church, Ben. "Virus expert 'pessimistic' over Tokyo Olympics". CNN. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
- ^ NJ.com, James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for (2021-01-04). "Will Nick Suriano wrestle for Rutgers in 2021? It's '50-50,' Scott Goodale says". nj. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ Eric. "Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France Preliminary Entries". United World Wrestling. Retrieved 2021-01-08.
- ^ "Snyder, Dake, Diakomihalis and Suriano win gold, four others earn medals at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix". Team USA. January 16, 2021.
- ^ Eric. "Matteo Pellicone Entries". United World Wrestling. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
- ^ "Pantaleo & Valencia win Matteo Pellicone golds, silvers to Burroughs, Suriano, McFadden & Hall, bronzes to Graff, McKenna & Martin". Team USA. March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series 2021" (PDF). United World Wrestling. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Twitter, Rick Fortenbaugh rfortenbaugh@trentonian com @rickfort7 on. "Rutgers' Nick Suriano pushing for spot on United States Olympic wrestling team". The Trentonian. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ Miller, Zach. "Wrestling: Men's freestyle seeds announced for U.S. Olympic Trials". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ Miller, Christopher (2021-04-02). "Breaking: Nick Suriano Out of 2021 Olympic Trials; 57 kg Takes Another Hit for the U.S." The Open Mat. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ Gallo, Ed (2021-03-29). "USA Men's Freestyle Olympic Team Trials - 57 kg Preview". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ Eric. "Poland Open Entries (June 9-13)". United World Wrestling. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ "Reece Humphrey on Twitter; "Tomasello 61, Suriano out, Macc out. Let's get it!!"". twitter.org.
- ^ "Who's Registered For World Team Trials So Far? - FloWrestling". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- ^ "NATO over Suriano Highlights Quarterfinals at WTT". InterMat. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ "2021 World Team Trials Match Notes - FloWrestling". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ "2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Brackets" (PDF).
- ^ "2019 Big Ten Conference Wrestling Brackets" (PDF).
- ^ "2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Brackets" (PDF).
External links[]
- Living people
- 1997 births
- Penn State Nittany Lions wrestlers
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights wrestlers
- American sport wrestlers
- Sportspeople from Bergen County, New Jersey
- People from Paramus, New Jersey