LANCASTER, PA -- The Franklin & Marshall College wrestling team improved to 15-8 on the year as the Diplomat grapplers defeated Millersville University of Pennsylvania 25-19.
The victory ties the program's all-time single season wins mark of 15 wins established by the 1980 team (15-3). In addition, the Diplomats close out their dual meet schedule with the first winning season since the 1992 team finished 9-6.
Against the Marauders, the Diplomats staked themselves to an early 9-0 lead as Trent Dixon (So., Baltimore, MD/Eastern Tech) knocked off Adam Bunting 7-3 at 125 before Rich Gebauer (So., South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) notched a forfeit win at 133 lbs.
Millersville cut into the lead at 141 as Derek Sola earned a 9-1 major decision over Joe Perretta (So., Havertown, PA/Haverford) to trim the margin back to 9-4.
F&M responded as 149-lbs. Matt McConnell (Sr., Kennett Square, PA/St. Marks) recorded an 18-1 technical fall at the 4:45 mark of the match for a 14-4 lead. Mike Parziale (So., Woburn, MA/Woburn) increased his team's lead to 16 points at 157-lbs. with a pin of Jack Rathfon in 2:35 for a 20-4 lead in the match.
However, Millersville made the match interesting down the stretch as Craig Pequignot earned an 11-6 decision over Ted Seemuller (Sr., Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) at 165 lbs. to make the score 20-7.
At 174 lbs., Curtis Yeager pinned Nate Schy (Sr., Willow Grove, PA/Hatboro Horsham) at the 6:57 mark to cut the lead back to 20-13 before Mark Knock knocked off Ben Evans (So., Yardley, PA/Peddie School) 4-2 at 184 lbs. to move Millersville within 20-16 in the match with two weight classes remaining.
At 197 lbs., RP Norley (Jr., Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) closed out the Diplomats' victory by recording a 17-2 major decision over Aaron Smith to move the lead out to an insurmountable 25-16.
Millersville's Mike Davidowich finished off the match with a 7-2 win over Shawn Coughlin (Fr., Berkley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) at heavyweight for the 25-19 final.
The victory marks the second of the season for the Diplomats over the Marauders as Franklin & Marshall handled Millersville 22-12 on January 9 to win the 2004 Virginia Duals.
Franklin & Marshall College will return to the mat on March 6-7 at the University of Pennsylvania's Palestra for the 100th Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Championship.
Box Score
Franklin & Marshall 25, Millersville 19
125 - Trent Dixon (F&M) dec. Adam Bunting (M), 3-0
133 - Rich Gebauer (F&M) FORFEIT
141 - Derek Sola (M) MAJOR Joe Perretta (F&M), 9-1
149 - Matt McConnell (F&M) TECH FALL Shawn Blanchard (M), 18-1 (4:45)
157 - Mike Parziale (F&M) FALL Jake Rathfon (M), 2:35
165 - Craig Pequignot (M) dec. Ted Seemuller (F&M), 11-6
174 - Curtis Yeager (M) FALL Nate Schy (F&M), 6:87
184 - Mark Knock (M) dec. Ben Evans (F&M), 4-2
197 - RP Norley (F&M) TECH FALL Aaron Smith (M), 17-2
HWT - Mike Davidowich (M) dec. Shawn Coughlin (F&M), 3-2
