BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Franklin & Marshall wresting team wrapped up its season-opening weekend by competing at the sixth annual Jonathan Kaloust Open, hosted by Binghamton University on Sunday.
Yesterday, the Diplomats kicked off their 2014 campaign by sending a split squad to take part in the Fall Brawl, hosted by Ursinus. To read the tournament recap, click here.
Wrestling unattached at the tournament, Richard Durso fell in a heartbreaking 5-3 sudden victory defeat in the 149 championship quarterfinals to the eventual first-place finisher, Cornell's Chris Villalonga. However, Durso battled back in consolations, earning a 9-0 major before capturing a narrow 2-0 decision against Binghamton's Joe Banaldi for third place.
Alex Henry began his day with a 3-1 decision in the 285 championship bracket before falling in the quarterfinals. The Diplomats' senior grappler came back with a pair of decisions in consolations, advancing into the semifinals. Henry's quest for third place came to an end against Old Dominion's Matt Tourdot, falling by a 7-3 decision.
Robert Ruiz got his senior campaign off to a solid start, earning a pair of pins in the championship bracket of 141 to advance into the quarterfinals. His day wrapped up with a narrow 5-4 defeat at the hands of host school Binghamton's Dylan Caruana. Jason Bing also earned a victory in the 141 championship bracket, picking up a 10-1 major decision to advance into the quarterfinals.
After falling in his opening bout at 125, Dan Matoccio responded in the consolations with his first collegiate win, a dominant 14-2 decision over Matt Badice, before falling by an 8-3 decision in the next round.
Patrick Quinlan and Scott Stevens each competed for F&M at 133. Stevens advanced into the championship quarterfinals with a 6-3 decision against Maryland's Chris Reilly. Quinlan bounced back from a defeat in his opening contest with a pair of sudden victory decisions in consolations.
At 157, Rob King rattled off a pair of wins in the championship bracket, downing Cortland's Vinny Romeo by a 16-6 major decision, followed by a 4-0 decision against Cornell's Chris Dowdy in the quarterfinals. After falling in the semifinals, King responded with a 7-2 decision in the consolation bracket.
Gordon Bolig competed at 174, earning a 10-2 major in the consolation bracket before bowing out in the next round. Paul Alessandrini earned a 5-1 decision in his opening contest at 184, while Adam Schroeder notched a 10-4 decision in consolations.
F&M opens it dual meet season next Sunday, taking on Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) foe Army on the road at 2:00 p.m. The Diplomats will also send members of its squad to compete at the Stroudsburg Open.
