Dec. 5, 2006

LANCASTER, Pa. - Bucknell won all but two weight classes to cruise to a 31-6 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association win over Franklin & Marshall on Tuesday. The Bison improved to 6-5 (2-1 EIWA) on the year in dual meet competition, knocking off the Diplomats now 2-1 (0-1 EIWA) in their conference opener.

Back to back decisions from Greg Hart and David Marble gave Bucknell a quick 6-0 jump. Al Gianforti halved the lead with a 5-2 decision over Zach Gilligan. The Diplomats' sophomore entered the third period tied at 2-2. His quick escape gave Gianforti a 3-2 lead. He stretched it to the 5-2 final with a late takedown, improving his season record to 5-2.

Bucknell responded by sweeping the next six bouts.

Michael Guttilla sparked the Bison run on the scoreboard with an early third period technical fall over Steven Gregory. Four decisions, two of which were majors, later, Bucknell's Eric Lapotsky put the exclamation point on Bucknell's night with a first period pin of F&M's Shawn Logue.

Lapotsky, a freshman ranked 30th in the nation by WrestlingReport.com, used a single-leg takedown and worked an arm bar to deck Logue with 36 seconds remaining in the first period.

F&M's Nico Somers, improved to 7-2 at heavyweight with a 10-3 decision. The match was tight until the closing seconds when Somers caught George Hingston. Five quick points from the takedown and back points hastily altered the bout's final tally.

The Diplomats are idle until the 28th of December when they compete in the Wilkes Open.

Bucknell 31 - Franklin and Marshal 6
125 Greg Hart (Bucknell) dec. Jake Bucha (F&M) 3-0
133 David Marble (Bucknell) dec. Austin Reed (F&M) 7-0
141 Al Gianforti (F&M) dec. Zach Gilligan (Bucknell) 5-2
149 Michael Guttilla (Bucknell) T. Fall Steven Gregory (F&M) 6:15
157 Brantly Hooks (Bucknell) maj. dec. Andrew Smith (F&M) 9-1
165 Andy Rendos (Bucknell) dec. Justin Herbert (F&M) 8-4
174 Shane Riccio (Bucknell) maj. dec. Jimmy Schulz (F&M) 15-6
184 George Mann (Bucknell) dec. Nino San Doval (F&M) 4-3
197 Eric Lapotsky (Bucknell) won by fall Shawn Logue (F&M) 2:24
HWT Nico Somers (F&M) dec. George Hingson (Bucknell) 10-3