LANCASTER, PA -- The Franklin & Marshall College wrestling team improved to 14-8 on the year as the Diplomat grapplers defeated Kutztown (36-7 W) and Gardner Webb (25-9 W) to improve to 14-8 on the year.

The record marks the second most wins in program history tying the 1948 (14-1) and 1977 (14-7) teams as the Diplomats have clinched the first winning season since the 1992 team finished 9-6.

The squad can tie for the program's all-time single season wins mark of 15 victories established by the 1980 team (15-3) if F&M can knock off Millersville in the dual meet season finale on February 25 in the Mayser Center.

Against Kutztown, the Diplomats jumped out to a 33-0 lead through the 174-lbs. match as F&M cruised to a 36-7 win.

Following a forfeit win by Trent Dixon (So., Baltimore, MD/Eastern Tech) at 125, Rich Gebauer (So., South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) recorded an 11-1 major decision over Jason Trupp at 133 to stake the Diplomats to a 10-0 lead.

The lead grew as Joe Perretta (So., Havertown, PA/Haverford) and Matt McConnell (Sr., Kennett Square, PA/St. Marks) recorded forfeit victories at 141 and 149, respectively, before Mike Parziale (So., Woburn, MA/Woburn) earned an 8-1 decision over Jamie Gill at 157.

Ted Seemuller (Sr., Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) increased the lead to 28-0 at 165 by dropping Jon Ratki 13-9 before Nate Schy (Sr., Willow Grove, PA/Hatboro Horsham) recorded a 21-5 technical fall at the 5:14 mark of the 174-lbs. match for the 33-0 lead.

The Golden Bears' Roy Gecelosky got Kutztown on the board with a 7-2 decision over Ben Evans (So., Yardley, PA/Peddie School) for a 33-3 F&M lead. RP Norley (Jr., Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) closed out the Diplomats' victors on the day by recording a 9-6 decision over Bret Wade at 197 before KU's Andy Freas notched a 9-0 major decision over Shawn Coughlin (Fr., Berkley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) for the 36-7 final.

Versus Gardner Webb, the Diplomats opened the match with a 9-0 lead behind a pin by Dixon and a decision by Gebauer.

At 125, Dixon managed GW's John Neal before pinning him in 2:30 to give F&M a quick 6-0 lead. Gebauer added to the tally by recording a 3-1 decision over Josh Pniewski at 133 for the nine-point lead.

The Runnin' Bulldogs cut into the lead at 141 and 149 as Justin Lansley earned a 6-4 decision over Perretta and Dan Elliott handled McConnell 7-1 to make the score 9-6 with six matches remaining.

The Diplomats countered with a pair of major decisions as Parziale downed Adam Glase 13-5 at 157 and Seemuller defeated Sheledon Sisk 11-4 at 165 for a 16-6 lead. Schy added to the margin by recording a 5-3 decision over Erik Wince at 174 for a 19-6 team score.

Gardner Webb attempted to make a comeback as Brandon Beach managed a 10-4 decision over Evans at 184, but Norley clinched the match for Franklin & Marshall with a 9-5 decision at 197 for an insurmountable 22-9 lead.

The best match of the day occurred at heavyweight as GWU's Titus Phile led Couglin 3-2 with three seconds remaining in the match before he rallied for a 4-3 decision and a 25-9 final team score.

Franklin & Marshall College will return to the mat on February 25 at home in the Mayser Center versus Millersville University. Match time is set for 8:00 p.m.

Box Score
Franklin & Marshall 25, Gardner Webb 9
125 - Trent Dixon (F&M) FALL John Neal (GW), 2:30
133 - Rich Gebauer (F&M) dec. Josh Pniewski (GW), 3-1
141 - Justin Lansley (GW) def. Joe Perretta (F&M), 6-4
149 - Daniel Elliott (GW) def. Matt McConnell (F&M), 7-1
157 - Mike Parziale (F&M) MAJOR Adam Glaser (GW), 13-5
165 - Ted Seemuller (F&M) MAJOR Sheldeon Sisk (GW), 11-4
174 - Nate Schy (F&M) dec. Erik Wince (GW), 5-3
184 - Brandon Beach (GW) def. Ben Evans (F&M), 10-4
197 - RP Norley (F&M) dec. Brent Blackwell (GW), 9-5
HWT - Shawn Coughlin (F&M) dec. Titus Phile (GW), 4-3

Franklin & Marshall 36, Kutztown 7
125 - Trent Dixon (F&M) FORFEIT
133 - Rich Gebauer (F&M) MAJOR Jason Trupp (K), 11-1
141 - Joe Perretta (F&M) FORFEIT
149 - Matt McConnell (F&M) FORFEIT
157 - Mike Parziale (F&M) dec. Jamie Gill (K), 8-1
165 - Ted Seemuller (F&M) dec. Jon Ratki (K), 13-9
174 - Nate Schy (F&M) TECH FALL Nick Detweiler (K), 21-5 (5:14)
184 - Roy Gecelosky (K) dec. Ben Evans (F&M), 7-2
197 - RP Norley (F&M) dec. Bret Wade (K), 9-6
HWT - Andy Freas (K) MAJOR Shawn Coughlin (F&M), 9-0