Westfield Native, Rutgers Wrestler Named Academic All-Big Ten

A Westfield native was one of several Rutgers University wrestlers named as Academic All-Big Ten wrestlers.

Anthony Pafumi, of Westfield, was one of six Scarlet Knights wrestlers selected as Academic All-Big Ten wrestlers for the 2014-15 season, according to Rutgers University Athletics. Pafumi just completed his red shirt sophomore year at Rutgers.

Pafumi, an alumnus of St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, finished the 2014-15 season with an overall record of 17-16 and a 5-10 dual record, Rutgers Athletics reported. He earned his first career Big Ten Conference victory with an 11-2 major decision against the University of Maryland’s Tony Gardner on Jan. 18, according to his Rutgers University profile.

In addition to Pafumi, five other Scarlet Knights were named to the All-Academic Team for the 2014-15 season, including Nicholas Gravina, of Allendale, Hayden Hrymack, of Point Pleasant, Josh Patrick, of Rector, Pennsylvania, Anthony Perrotti, of Roseland, and Billy Smith, of Wantage, who was placed on the All-Academic Team for the third time in his career at Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights wrestling program recorded a perfect 1,000 in the 2013-14 NCAA Division I Academic Progress Report (APR) Public Report, the university said. The wrestling team was one of 10 athletic teams at Rutgers to record a perfect APR in the last year.

(Photo credit: Will Schneekloth/Rutgers Athletics)