F&M Set to Takedown 2008-2009 Schedule

LANCASTER, Pa. -- Franklin & Marshall College head wrestling coach, Pete Schuyler, announced the Diplomats’ 2008-09 schedule on Monday.

Some of the slate’s most notable additions are a result of the NCAA’s new postseason allocation plan. In the past, wrestlers have qualified for the national tournament by placing at their respective conference tournaments; however, the NCAA has adopted a new system that only guarantees conference champions an automatic qualifier. A selection committee that factors records, rankings and strength of schedule will choose the remaining qualifiers.

The Diplomats have toughened up their schedule under the new regime. Schuyler will take his team to two of the nation’s toughest tournaments: the Michigan State Open, featuring many of the Big 10’s elite squads, and the University of North Carolina-Greensboro’s Southern Scuffle, which, when last convened, featured nine teams of the top 30 teams at last year’s NCAA tournament.

On January 3, they will travel to Philadelphia to challenge reigning Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) runner-up, Penn. On February 14, Schuyler ventures back to Bethlehem, Pa., where he will face his alma mater and perennial EIWA powerhouse, Lehigh. 
The Diplomats’ home schedule features five duals. F&M opens its home slate in conference on Tuesday December 2, with Bucknell. The Diplomats then welcome South Dakota State and Sacred Heart to the Mayser Center on Saturday January 2.

F&M closes out the home schedule on the weekend of January 30-31 when the Diplomats take on state rival, Duquesne on Friday. That match will serve as Alumni Day. F&M then battles conference opponent American University on Saturday in the Parents/Senior Day match.

As always, the Diplomats wrestle a tough slate of meets and tournaments on the road. F&M travels to West Point to wrestle Army, and will compete in the Navy Classic with powerhouses Bucknell and Bloomsburg amongst others.

The Diplomats will also wrestle in their traditional matches with Gettysburg and Millersville. The Millersville match will be the Second Annual battle for the Rupp Cup, named in honor of Ted Rupp, an F&M alum who coached both institutions.

The EIWA championships will be held March 7-8 at the University of Pennsylvania, while the NCAA Championships will be wrestled on March 19- 21 in St. Louis.

All of Franklin & Marshall’s home matches will feature a live audio/video stream from the Mayser Center on B2 Networks.