PHILADELPHIA, PA - The 25th ranked University of Pennsylvania wrestling team took five of seven matches wrestled on the mat and was benefited by three Franklin & Marshall forfeits as the Quakers downed the Diplomats 40-6 in Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association action at the historic Palestra.
#6 ranked Matt Feast started things off for the Quakers at heavyweight with an 8-4 decision over Shawn Coughlin (So., Berkley Heights, NJ/Governor Livingston) before the Diplomats forfeited the 125 lbs. match.
Rich Gebauer (Sr., South Plainfield, NJ/South Plainfield) put Franklin & Marshall on the board at 133 lbs. as he defeated Mike Silengo 5-3. However, Penn's Shawn Protz notched an 18-7 major decision over Aviel Ayoung (Jr., Brooklyn, NY/Poly Prep Country Day) at 141 lbs. and Steve Swentzel outlasted Andrew Smith (Fr., Annapolis, MD/Annapolis) for a 6-2 decision at 149 lbs. to put the Quakers firmly in the lead.
Mike Parziale (Jr., Woburn, MA/Woburn) added to Franklin & Marshall's point total at 157 lbs. as he dominated Brock Wittmeyer 9-3.
The win raises Parziale's record to 29-5 on the year, including a 28-5 mark at 157 lbs., to tie Rob Nusum '91 (29-5, 1991) for the fourth best single season record in school history.
Historically, Parziale also holds the 13th and 21st best single season win totals in F&M wrestling history as he finished 22-8 as a sophomore and registered a 25-10 mark in 2003 to establish a record for the most wins by a freshman in Diplomats' history.
Further, he now ranks fifth in career wins at the College as he holds a 76-23 record.
The Quakers responded to Parziale's win with a pair of victories as Rich Ferguson and Jack Kitchen notched pin falls at 165 lbs. and 174 lbs., respectively, before F&M forfeited the 184 lbs. and 197 lbs. matches for the 40-6 final.
The loss drops Franklin & Marshall to 26-22 all-time against the Quakers as F&M has dropped the last six meetings with Penn since a victory in 1991.
Franklin & Marshall (3-13) will return to the mat on February 12 at Princeton University. Match time is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
#25 Pennsylvania 40, Franklin & Marshall 6
125 - Mason Lenhard (P) FORFEIT
133 - Rich Gebauer (F&M) DEC Mike Silengo (P), 5-3
141 - Shawn Protz (P) MAJOR Aviel Ayoung (F&M), 18-7
149 - Steve Swentzel (P) DEC Andrew Smith (F&M), 6-2
157 - Mike Parziale (F&M) DEC Brock Wittmeyer (P), 9-3
165 - Rich Ferguson (P) FALL Steve Gregory (F&M), 1:05
174 - Jack Kitchen (P) FALL Chris Richey (F&M), 2:12
184 - Dan Gallagher (P) FORFEIT
197 - Marcus Schontube (P) FORFEIT
*285 - #6 Matt Feast (P) DEC Shawn Coughlin (F), 8-4
*Indicates starting weight class
