While the 2020 wrestling season came to a successful conclusion, the current shutdown of local college athletics due to the COVID-19 breakout has indeed slowed down life for newest Roadrunner wrestling All-Americans Dylan Fischer and Tyler Baer.
On an amazing weekend for Roadrunner wrestling fans during the recent NJCAA National Wrestling Championships in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Fischer -- who placed fifth overall -- became the first Roadrunner Wrestling All-American since Dom Ruggierio/Toby Hague in 2016. Baer followed that lead, grabbing All-American honors with a fourth place overall showing.
The two were among six Roadrunners who had each advanced to the quarterfinal round during the National Tournament.
Fischer, a two-year performer, rolled to a fifth place finish with a 4-2 tourney record that included a 12-6 decision over Nassau's Paul Illicate in the fifth place bout, a win that avenged a regular season loss to Illicate.
For Fischer, earning All-American honors meant plenty of interest from local and regional NCAA schools. But in an ironic twist, the four-year colleges were forced to shut down local campus visits for health concerns -- and that meant the former West Deptford High standout had to postpone site visits as well.
"Of course the schools had to do what they had to do, but it's just been frustrating," said Fischer, who had qualified for the National Championship Tournament two straight seasons under Coach Dan Antonelli. "I had a few site visits set up and I was looking forward to moving on -- hoping to wrestle at least for another year. Once the schools are operating on a normal schedule again, hopefully I'll still be able to find a place to wrestle."
Also walking away with All-American honors was sophomore Baer, a former Pitman star who compiled a 5-2 tourney record, including a fourth place overall finish. Baer set the tone early by recording a fall in 6:10 over Cowley's Jesus Nunez in the opening round. "I came in with high expectations, and hoped to make it to the finals," commented Baer. "But overall, I'm extremely happy to finish fourth and to come away as an All-American."
Baer has adjusted to the current virtual learning environment, but he plans to take courses for one more year at RCSJ Gloucester before transferring to Rowan University to complete a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
"Everyone's been great with the virtual learning -- it just takes some getting used to," he commented. "I've just decided to continue here for one more year and then focus on completing my degree at Rowan University."
Both athletes give current Coach Antonelli high praise for recruiting them into the Roadrunner program and for their experiences on the wrestling mats.
"It feels good to finish my career as an All-American -- it's something I'm sure I'll be proud of the rest of my life," said Fischer, who hopes to help out as an assistant coach for Antonelli next winter."I was away from wrestling for a little while after high school, and never imagined I would be this successful in college when I first came back to wrestle."
Ditto, said Baer. "I was away from wrestling for a couple years, and it was hard getting back into the sport. But Coach Antonelli convinced me I could still compete, but I had to work for it. He's done a great job building up the program and the number of kids who participate."
Coach Antonelli notes the two sophomore wrestlers have left a remarkable legacy and will be sorely missed.
"It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to coach these two young men," Antonelli said. "Tyler and Dylan's success go beyond the wrestling venue, as these two young men possess high character. They will be missed in the room and we look forward to them giving back to the program in the near future. "