When Roadrunner Athletics announced this past spring that veteran South Jersey coach Dan Antonelli would take over the reigns of the RCGC wrestling program, you knew the team would make some instant progress in recruiting local athletes.

Antonelli, who collected more than 300 wins as head coach at Clayton/Glassboro high schools,  got to work right away and has not disappointed. In just under 2 months, he has rebuilt the numbers on the Roadrunners' roster to 16 wrestlers and is hoping the program enjoys a successful 2018-19 season.

The first-year coach has thus far enjoyed recruiting local athletes, and knows this will be a key to future success.

"The biggest thing is getting out there and talking to the high school coaches – go visit them – call the kids – I love this part of the job so far," Antonelli said.

Right now, the Roadrunners have just one returnee on the roster – sophomore Dylan Skidmore, an NJCAA national placewinner last winter – but Antonelli feels the program will be locked in a better position when the 2019-20 season begins next season.

"We would like to finish the season with 18 kids on the roster – that will give us a great start for the following year and set the program moving in a positive direction," said Antonelli. "We have 16 kids right now with possibly 4 more on the way – a nice start so far."

With Skidmore, whom Antonelli coached in high school, the Roadrunners have a solid leader in place.

"Dylan's a great athlete and leads by example – he's just committed," Antonelli noted. "He has solid  academics and also coaches the youth program at Clayton. We're hoping he will be glue for the team."

Additional freshmen recruits to date include Brandon Barbella, a 141-pounder out of Eastern Regional who is a past Region and district champion; Mike Rubino, a standout  Philadelphia wrestler who will compete in the middle weights; Riley Onorato, a solid performer at 157 or 165 pounds who helped Paulsboro High to a state title last season; and Pat Locantore, a former Overbrook Regional standout who will see action at 177 or 184 pounds.

"We've met with a lot of kids and their families, and we've stressed that RCGC is a great option for them," Antonelli said. "We have a lot of talent in wrestling here in South Jersey, so we're excited about the upcoming season. The response has been positive so far. "

Follow Roadrunner wrestling at @RCGCAthletics