I wanted to share my story on Somers senior Brian Realbuto’s commitment to Cornell, which appeared in today’s paper. I spoke to Realbuto yesterday, and he basically confirmed that this is a decision he’s had in mind for quite some time. I briefly spoke with Cornell coach Rob Koll, who declined to comment due to school policy. But there was definitely an excitement in his voice when I brought up Realbuto.
Realbuto is currently ranked 16th in the nation among recruits by InterMat.com, and first in New York state. He’ll be joined at Cornell by three-time California state champ Alex Cisernos, who is ranked seventh in the nation. Koll has established The Big Red as a national title contender, having placed second in the country in each of the past two seasons.
The all-time wins leader in Section 1 with a career record of 230-11, Realbuto enters the 2011-12 high school season searching for his third state championship.
17 Comments
Great news. Also, Steve Rodriques is headed to Iowa.
cya
I thought SROD was at rutgers? Congrats to Brian! Looking foward to watching him win an NCAA title. However I do disagree…UPENN/Warton and Harvard would have been better choices for the job after he get that “good” degree.
SRod was at rutgers, I think the loss of ast coach corey cooperman (who went to illlinios) was pretty big factor in him looking to transfer. Its a good lesson to rember for d1 athletes, choose your school based on the school, not the coaches, because they may not be there in 2-3 years.,
SROD is going to Iowa because its whats best for him, he will be a great hawkeye and one day we will be watching both Realbuto and Srod on espn
Hey guys,
I just wanted to clarify a few things on the Steven Rodrigues rumors. He is transferring from Rutgers, but no decision has been as to where he’s going. I spoke to Anthony Rodrigues (Steven’s father) today, and he said that the Iowa rumors are false. Steven hasn’t been released from Rutgers yet, and therefore he cannot talk to any other coaches, nor can any coaches talk to him. When his decision is made, you can be sure that I’ll let you all know.
Sure pick school for school. However these two could care less about academics other then the fact that it is a place to wrestle. Both will need to be careful to remember that wrestling requires a minimum academic performance or wrestling will end as it has recently for some others. As for ESPN, d1 wrestling requires we sit back and see. There have been many high school stand outs who never met their potential ( and others who have surpassed expectations) at the next level. Best wishes to both and ALL the other former section 1 grads
if realbuto didnt care about academics why would he choose an ivy league school that offers no athletic scholarships. He could have gotten a full ride anywhere and just coasted, so to say that they care less about academics is crazy. Ivy education, chance for a national title every year, its why their recruiting class this year is amazing (brian is the 3rd best recruit this yr for cornell and he is the 15 best recruit in the country.)
Would he have choosen the school if it was not top 10 in wrestling? Top 20? Top 30? Cornell is great in wrestling and an excellent school. Nevertheless, it has become the place that the less academically able/minded athelete go to get an “ivy league” diploma(this is becoming well known in the world outside wrestling). There is a difference between being interested in academics and being interested in a label. Many of their wrestling recruits could not gain admission to Harvard,Princeton or Wharton. Once recruited the typical Cornell wrestler goes to the nearest community college for a year and then spends the next 3-4(red shirt yr.) years in the less academically rigourous school of Agriculture…..Nothing wrong with this except, outside the wrestling world no one cares about your performance on the mat. A grad school (Law, Med, MBA) will be interested in academic performance. As for employers, as the world continues to get more competitive, they also will care less and look for talent rather then bravado.
I agree with “interesting”. Also does a family who hires a personal live in coach care about a scholarship?
I agree- if they are paying their personal live in coach $60 G’s a year what does the coast of colleg matter?
Then why not choose a school like arizona state?? they had 2 national champs last year, the parties are better, girls are prettier, and you may not need to be able to spell your name correctly to get in. wouldnt he be in the same boat rather than going to cornell?
Your not paying attention. Why? Because many are interested in the label…”ivy league” but are not necessarily ivy league able or capable. Cornells system for athletes allow that person in. It is much more difficult to get in and succeed at places like wharton,Harvard,Princeton….anyway..who cares…good luck to Brian..like many he hopefully found the right fit.
I think Srod was better off at Rutgers considering he chose to go to a D1 school. He would have had a greater chance cracking that lineup then at a D1 power house. I personally don’t think he is a D1 wrestler ( unlikely to ever AA) as his style does not fit. He would be a D3 stud if he chose to be.
Congratulations Brian!!!!....Well deserved & look forward to watching you win an NCAA national championship. Hopefully in the near future.
Well if SROD is not a D1 wrestler who is? Whether or no Rutgers would be best for him is a different debate. However your opinion differs from MANY D1 coaches who are/were interested in him. I think for now their eye is likely better then yours….btw…any of last years graduates who went D1 would be studs in D3 (not that that is easy…its not). As for there success in D1, sorry Sec 1 Fan, it will have to be seen. Best wishes to all the section 1 young men trying to compete
Maybe it would be nice to just congratulate and wish them well instead of criticizing them. Sounds more like jealousy to me.
PS…When I posted that Steve was going to Iowa, he had posted it on his face page already. Maybe his dad hadn’t read it yet
cya !1