Jan. 6, 2007

LANCASTER, Pa. - The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team spotted Rutgers 18 points worth of forfeits as the Diplomat matmen fell 36-13 in EIWA wrestling action on Saturday.

Al Gianforti and Andrew Smith picked up F&M's wins in contested bouts, while Justin Herbert added a win by forfeit at 165 pounds. Herbet moved to 10-5 on the year.

Smith's (5-6) victory came in the tightest bout of the afternoon, which was finished with a pair of reversals and a takedown in the last minute. The flurry left Smith and Chris Norrell (8-10) tied at 6-6, but Smith's advantage time gave the Diplomats three points.

Gianforti (11-3) took a commanding 5-0 lead in his 141- pound bout early in the second period reversing Kyle Milanese's chosen advantage. He quickly turned the Rutgers 141-pounder nabbing three back points. Milanese (5-7) managed an escape before the end of the period, and another escape at the start of the third made it 5-2, but Gianforti sealed the bout countering by a Milanese shot.

Rutgers picked up wins in the bouts contested at 149, 197, and heavyweight. Trailing 1-0 at the start of the third period, Nico Somers came down awkwardly on his wrist as he attempted to escape on the opening whistle. He was unable to finish the bout.

Steven Gregory made it 7-5 with a reversal with 53 ticks left in the 149-pound bout, but watched Jack Barrett pull away in the closing seconds for a 12-7 decision giving Rutgers a 15-4 advantage, dropping Gregory's record to 0-4. Lamar Brown took a 5-1 lead late in the second period with a takedown of Shawn Logue. Brown (1-0) rode out the clock for a 10-3 win at 197-pounds. Logue fell to 2-4 on the season.

The win was Rutgers' 17th consecutive victory in the series, and improved the Scarlet Knights record to 2-2 on the season, with a 2-0 mark in the EIWA. F&M dropped to 2-3 in dual meet competition, 0-3 in the EIWA. The Diplomats return to action next weekend at the Virginia Duals.

Rutgers 36, Franklin & Marshall 13
125: Andrew DelGuercio (R) win by forfeit (6-0)
133: Dan Hilt (R) win by forfeit (12-0)
141: Al Gianforti (F) maj. dec. Kyle Milanese, 12-4 (12-4)
149: Jack Barrett (R) dec. Steve Gregory, 12-7 (15-4)
157: Andrew Smith (F) dec. Chris Norrell, 7-6 (15-7)
165: Justin Herbert (F) win by forfeit (15-13)
174: Mike Whalen (R) win by forfeit (21-13)
184: Keith Dobish (R) win by forfeit (27-13)
197: Lamar Brown (R) dec. Shawn Logue, 10-3 (30-13)
HWT: Mike D'Amico (R) by inj. def. Nico Somers, 5:07 (36-13)