By Guy Cipriano
Nathan Galloway didn’t take long to determine his wrestling future.
Galloway, a three-time PIAA Class AAA champion at State College High School, said Thursday night that he plans on continuing his wrestling career at Rider.
Galloway arrived at the school’s Lawrenceville, N.J., campus Wednesday night. He joined the team Thursday and won two wrestle-offs to earn a starting spot.
The Broncs are scheduled to begin the two-day Colonial Athletic Association duals at 6 p.m. tonight against host George Mason.
Galloway, who spent 4 1/2 years at Penn State, said he expects to compete this weekend.
“It’s going to be awkward, “he said. “I haven’t had the opportunity to really prepare for this event. I like being here so far and I’m going to make the most of this opportunity. I think me, my coaches and my teammates are excited to see what happens when I step on the mat.
“I have been through a lot in the past week figuring out where I was going to go. Once I step on the mat, everything is going to be the same. When I step on the mat, I’m going to be wearing a Rider singlet and I’m going to be looking to win for Rider.”
The duals should end a turbulent week for Galloway. Penn State announced Tuesday that it had granted Galloway a release to transfer. Galloway said he decided to leave the Nittany Lions because he wasn’t going to receive an opportunity to wrestle-off for the starting spot at 157 pounds. True freshman Bubba Jenkins became Penn State’s starting 157-pounder last week.
Galloway, along with his parents Jack and Tracey, examined multiple options before settling on Rider. Galloway has one semester of eligibility remaining.
Academics played a role in Galloway’s decision. Galloway will be pursuing a business degree at Rider. He also only needs to complete one class to receive an Information Sciences and Technology degree from Penn State.
Rider is scheduled to begin its spring semester next Monday and Jack said his son has already been accepted. Galloway said friend John Bove led him to Rider and coach Gary Taylor.
“It seems like it will be a really good fit, “Galloway said. “I’m basically at this point committing the next year of my life to Rider University. I’m excited to be here. The area seems really nice. I didn’t know how my teammates would take me in, but they are excited to have me here.”
The Broncs (4-5) finished sixth at last weekend’s Virginia Duals where they were shutout by Penn State 41-0 in the semifinals. Galloway could plug a hole at 157. Rider, which has six wrestlers who attended Pennsylvania high schools on its roster, finished 0-4 at the weight last weekend.
Galloway finished his Penn State career 90-54 and qualified for the NCAA championships three times. Galloway missed the national championships as a freshman because of a neck injury that required surgery. He went 5-4 in his two NCAA appearances, but he has not earned All-American honors.
Galloway’s quest to end his career as an All-American was one reason he decided to continue wrestling.
“I’m 100 percent convinced that I can become an All-American, “he said. “The talent hasn’t gone away. There was something wrong and there was something that didn’t mix with Penn State. Maybe everything will click here or maybe it won’t. I’m going to work toward my goal and give it one last shot. I’m happy about that.”
Galloway went 14-7 at Penn State last semester. Six of his losses came to wrestlers ranked in the Top 11 according to the NWCA/InterMat rankings.
The CAA receives 23 NCAA tournament spots to divide among the 10 weights. Hofstra’s James Strouse (No. 2) is the lone CAA wrestled nationally-ranked at 157. Strouse has defeated Galloway twice this season. Galloway pinned Strouse during last year’s NCAA championships.
Galloway started this month participating in two-a-day practices with the Penn State. He left the Nittany Lions before the Jan. 7 match at Cornell. Jack said his son trained alone before settling on a school.
“We’re happy for him, “Jack said. “He gets another chance to reach his goals and he gets to end his career on his own terms not somebody else’s.”
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