Awards and Honors: 2015 Academic All-Big Ten, 2016 Academic All-Big Ten
2016-17: Earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships … finished with 16-11 record overall and 5-3 dual record after coming back from injury in December … went 1-3 at Big Ten Championships and 1-2 at NCAA Championships … tallied four tech falls and one major decision … upset ninth-ranked Jake Short of Minnesota in dual.
2015-16: Went 9-19 as Wisconsin's starter at 157 pounds ... held a 2-10 dual record and 1-8 Big Ten record ... recorded one pin, one technical fall and two major decisions ... compiled a 1-3 record at the Big Ten Championships ... picked up dual wins against UW-Whitewater's Brandon Arteaga (D, 7-1) and Northwestern's Anthony Petrone (TF 20-5)
2014-15: Eight-time starter at 149 lbs. ... compiled a season record of 15-11 ... went 4-1 at the Wyoming Open to claim the third place spot ... finished 1-2 at the Navy Classic ... finished 3-1 at the UNI Open ... finished the Midlands Championships with a 2-2 record ... took second place at the Pat Flash Flanagan Open with a 2-1 record ... finished with a 1-3 record at the Big Ten Championships
2013-14: 13-time starter for Wisconsin at 149 lbs., and a one-time starter at 157 lbs. ... finished regular season with a 14-11 overall record ... 7-7 record in dual competition ... 2-2 mark in the Big Ten ... placed fifth at the Navy Classic with a 5-2 record ... 2-2 record at Midlands
2012-13: Redshirt season ... 15-2 record in open tournaments at 141 and 149 lbs. ... won the Loras Open at 141 lbs., with a 4-0 record ... placed second at 141 lbs., at the Pointer Open with a 3-1 record ... placed third at 149 lbs., at the Flash Flanagan Open with a 4-1 record ... won the Blugold Open at 149 lbs., with a 4-0 record.
High school: Compiled a 209-21 in four seasons of competition for Ryle High School... four-time state placer, including a state championship in his junior season... four-time regional champion.
Personal: Parents are Tim and Pam Ruschell... has three siblings, two brothers, Keith (30) and Kyle (27), and one sister, Katelyn (16) ... brother Kyle is an assistant coach for the Badgers and wrestled at UW from 2006 until 2010, earning All-America honors in back-to-back seasons in 2008-09 and 2009-10 at 149 lbs... TJ's hobbies include playing golf, video games, and ultimate frisbee ... major is economics.
What does it mean to be a Badger?
"To wear the 'W' with pride."
Off the Mat with TJ
My favorite thing about Wisconsin Wrestling is: The family feel.
Most memorable match: llinois dual in the 2013-14 season.
A non-athletic talent I have is: NHL on XBOX 360
Favorite Quote: "The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." - Whitman
If I could change one wrestling rule, it would be: One point for every minute of riding time.
