NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - Justin Herbert (Fr., New Milford, PA/Blue Ridge) and Al Gianforti (Fr., Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua Academy) went 3-0 as the Franklin & Marshall College wrestling team handled Wagner College (27-15 W) and Delaware State University (38-3 W), but fell to Rutgers University (36-9 L) in a dual meet at Rutgers University.
In the first match of the day, F&M downed Wagner (0-5) behind forfeits at 133, 174, 184 and 197 lbs. as the Diplomats improved to 12-0 all-time against the Seagulls since the programs first meeting in 1990.
Following a 13-8 victory by Doug Ritchey (Fr., Curryville, PA/Central) at 125 lbs. and a forfeit victory by Wagner's Rich Englehardt at 133 lbs., the Diplomats fell behind 9-3 as the Seagulls' Mike Tutunjian notched an 8-2 victory at 141 lbs. Gianforti handled Patrick Larkin 9-4 at 149 lbs. before Wagner's Justin Ensign recorded a 5-0 decision at 157 lbs to keep the Gulls in front 12-6. However, F&M captured the next four matches as Herbert stopped Nick Magaraci 10-7 at 165 lbs. before James Schulz (Fr., Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo), RP Norley (Sr., Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) and Nico Somers (Fr., Green Village, NJ/Madison) picked up forfeits at 174, 184 and 197 lbs., respectively, to go ahead 27-12 and hold on for the 12 point victory.
Versus Rutgers (5-2, 2-2 EIWA), the Scarlet Knights ran out to a 15-0 lead behind technical falls at 125 and 141 lbs and a forfeit at 133 lbs to take a 36-9 victory. The loss drops F&M to 16-27 all-time against Rutgers as the Knights have captured the last 14 meetings between the two programs.
For the Diplomats, Gianforti picked up a forfeit victory at 149 lbs and Herbert stopped Rob Kaiser with a 2-1 decision at 165 lbs.
In the final match of the day, F&M rolled over Delaware State (0-3) as the Diplomats improved to 6-0 all-time against the Hornets.
F&M built a 24-0 lead before a match was contested as Ritchey, Joe Perretta (Sr., Havertown, PA/The Haverford School), Gianforti and Andrew Smith (So., Annapolis, MD/Annapolis) picked up forfeits at 125, 133, 141, 149 and 157 lbs. Herbert added a 10-4 decision at 165 lbs. before Schulz notched an 11-3 major decision at 174 lbs., Norley stopped Chris Woodall 8-4 at 189 lbs and Somers handled Shawn Nowrey 8-0 at 197 lbs. for a 38-0 lead. Delaware State closed out the match with a win as Steven Billbrough notched a 3-1 win at heavyweight for the 38-3 final score.
Franklin & Marshall (3-2, 2-1 EIWA) will continue the season on January 13-14 at the Virginia Duals Tournament in Hampton, Virginia before facing-off with Division III Elizabethtown and Gettysburg on January 24 in Elizabethtown.
Franklin & Marshall 27, Wagner 15
125 - Doug Ritchey (F&M) DEC Mike Rooney (W), 13-8
133 - Rich Englehardt (W) FORFEIT
141 - Mike Tutunjian (W) DEC Joe Perretta (F&M), 8-2
149 - Al Gianforti (F&M) DEC Patrick Larkin (W), 9-4
157 - Justin Ensign (W) DEC Andrew Smith (F&M), 5-0
165 - Justin Herbert (F&M) DEC Nick Magaraci (W), 10-7
174 - James Schulz (F&M) FORFEIT
184 - RP Norley (F&M) FORFEIT
197 - Nico Somers (F&M) FORFEIT
HWT - John Cichon (W) DEC Bryan McCarthy (F&M), 3-1
Rutgers 36, Franklin & Marshall 9
125 - Ryan Jablonski (RU) TECH FALL Doug Ritchey (F&M), 17-2 (4:46)
133 - Kellen Bradley (RU) FORFEIT
141 - Steve Adamcsik (RU) MAJOR Chris Kelly (F&M), 13-1
149 - Al Gianforti (F&M) FORFEIT
157 - Jamie Lijo (RU) FALL Andrew Smith (F&M), 1:10
165 - Justin Herbert (F&M) DEC Robert Kaiser (RU), 2-1
174 - Mike Whalen (RU) MAJOR James Schulz (F&M), 12-2
184 - Rudy Medini (RU) MAJOR RP Norley (F&M), 11-3
197 - Lamar Brown (RU) MAJOR Nico Somers (F&M), 12-1
HWT - Mike D'Amico (RU) DEC Bryan McCarthy (F&M), 8-2
Franklin & Marshall 38, Delaware State 3
125 - Doug Ritchey (F&M) FORFEIT
133 - No Match
141 - Joe Perretta (F&M) FORFEIT
149 - Al Gianforti (F&M) FORFEIT
157 - Andrew Smith (F&M) FORFEIT
165 - Justin Herbert (F&M) DEC Ryan Gibbons (DS), 10-4
174 - James Schulz (F&M) MAJOR Derrick Loper (DS), 11-3
184 - RP Norley (F&M) DEC Chris Woodall (DS), 8-4
197 - Nico Somers (F&M) MAJOR Shawn Nowrey (DS), 8-0
HWT - Mike D'Amico (RU) DEC Bryan McCarthy (F&M), 3-1
