HAMPTON, VA - The Franklin & Marshall College wrestling team used strong performances at the middleweights to manage Millersville University of Pennsylvania to capture the American College Division at the 24th Annual Virginia Duals at the Hampton Coliseum.
F&M, which knocked off nationally ranked Division III Montclair State and SUNY-Brockport on Friday evening to advance to the showdown with cross-county rival Millersville on Saturday.
Historically, the victory marks Franklin & Marshall's second all-time against the Marauders as F&M entered the match with a 1-8 record against Millersville, having dropped the last eight matches since a victory in 1994.
Further, the victory marked the Diplomats first tournament title since November 9-10, 1990 when Franklin & Marshall captured the 17th Annual Millersville Belles Tournament without facing the Marauders.
Against Millersville 13 years later, the Diplomats and Marauders traded points as 125-pounder Trevor Beard (Fr., Norristown, NJ/Germantown Academy) lost to MU's Adam Bunting before Rich Gebauer (Jr., South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) pinned Dave Roberts at 3:25 in the 133 lbs. match.
The Marauders responded as Derek Sola outdistanced Joe Perretta (So., Havertown, PA/Haverford) 9-2 at 141.
However, the next four matches belonged to the blue and white as Matt McConnell (Sr., Kennett Square, PA/St. Marks) edged Shawn Blanchard at 149 and Mike Parziale (So., Woburn, MA/Woburn) rolled over Matt Maisano 23-10 in the 157 lbs. match.
Ted Seemuller (Sr., Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) kept the streak alive with a 2-1 decision at 165 over Craig Pequignot before Nate Schy (Sr., Horsham, PA/Hatboro-Horsham) outlasted Curtis Yeager 3-2 at 174 lbs.
Millersville captured two of the final three matches as Mark Knock downed Ben Evans (Jr., Yardley, PA/Peddie School) 8-3 at 184 and Mike Davidowich bettered Shawn Coughlin (Fr., Berkeley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) 5-3 at heavyweight, while RP Norley (Jr., Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) managed Brian Mielnik 3-1 at 197 lbs.
The win raises the Diplomats record to 5-3 on the year, as the team will continue the season on January 17 at Rutgers University versus the Scarlet Knights and Wagner.
Franklin & Marshall 22, Millersville 12
125 Adam Bunting (M) dec. Trevor Beard (F&M) 5-1
133 Rich Gebauer (F&M) FALL Dave Roberts (M) 3:25
141 Derek Sola (M) dec. Joe Perretta (F&M) 9-2
149 Matt McConnell (F&M) dec. Shawn Blanchard (M) 2-0
157 Mike Parziale (F&M) MAJOR Matt Maisano (M) 23-10
165 Ted Seemuller (F&M) dec. Craig Pequignot (M) 2-1
174 Nate Schy (F&M) dec. Curtis Yeager (M) 3-2
184 Mark Knock (M) dec. Ben Evans (F&M) 8-3
197 RP Norley (F&M) dec. Brian Mielnik (M) 3-1
HWT Mike Davidowich (M) dec. Shawn Coughlin (F&M) 5-3
