Inside F&M Wrestling Week 6: Mike Rogers Interview
LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall's wrestling team welcomes Virginia Military Institute to Lancaster on Friday for a 7:30 p.m. dual meet. In celebration of the home contest, the Diplomats are hosting a White Out/Spirit Night at Mayser Gym.
To watch this week's interview with head coach Mike Rogers, click here.
The Week Ahead
Friday, Dec. 12 – F&M vs. VMI – 7:30 PM
Video (HD) | Live Results
White Out / Spirit Night
Fans in attendance for Friday's dual are being asked to wear white to support the Diplomats in their bout against the Keydets and upon entry, all spectators are encouraged to enter a raffle at the door to win an IPad Air.
A Look at VMI
The Keydets come into action Friday with a 1-3 overall record on the season, earning their only victory against Anderson by a 28-12 score on Nov. 2. VMI has faced a difficult schedule so far in the season, including a 51-0 loss to No. 11 Virginia on Nov. 2. The Keydets hail from the Southern Conference and hold a 0-1 record on the year after falling to Gardner-Webb by a 31-9 score on Dec. 3.
A Look at F&M
The Diplomats head into Friday's contest at 1-2 on the early season, earning its lone win on the season with a 21-13 victory against Sacred Heart on Nov. 23. F&M sits at 1-1 in Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling (EIWA) action.
Series History
F&M squares off with VMI for the 19th time in a series that dates back to 1927. The Diplomats lead at 11-6-1, however the Keydets have take wins in four of the previous five matchups. Last season, VMI edged F&M by a 27-11 score in Lexington, however five of the Diplomats' seven losses in the competition were by decision.
Last Five Meetings
2013-14 – VMI – 27-11 – Lexington, Va.
2012-13 – F&M – 20-16 – Lancaster, Pa.
2011-12 – VMI – 18-17 – Lexington, Va.
2010-11 – VMI – 24-13 – Lancaster, Pa.
2009-10 – VMI – 33-10 – Lexington, Va.
Last Time Out
F&M was unable to climb out of an early hole, falling to George Mason by a 28-10 score on Saturday evening at the Masyer Center. George Mason took control in the early going and extended its lead to 19-0 with two decisions at 157 and 165, before Gordon Bolig got F&M's first points on the board in dramatic fashion. Knotted up at 1-1 after three periods of action, the bout appeared destined for a second overtime before Bolig secured a pin with just one second remaining in the fourth to hand six points to the Diplomats.
Anthony Mancini kept the momentum on F&M's side at 184, registering an early takedown and dominating throughout his contest, cruising to a 12-0 major decision and pulling F&M within nine at 19-10.
George Mason's Matt Meadows pulled ahead early at 197 with a takedown and two near fall points against the Diplomats' Charles Kerkesner, and took the bout by a 12-6 score to give the Patriots a decisive 23-10 lead in the match.
On Sunday, Richard Durso captured his second tournament victory in a row to pace F&M at the Nittany Lion Open in State College. Wrestling unattached, Durso opened the competition with a 17-2 win and followed with a first-period pin to easily reach the quarterfinals. Durso continued with a pair of decisions before downing Lehigh's Laike Gardner by a 7-5 score in the 149 championship to take first place.
Jason Bing represented the Diplomats at 141 and dominated his opponent with a 15-4 major in his opening bout, but dropped down to the consolation bracket after suffering a 9-4 loss in his next matchup. Bing followed with a pair of wins in consolations, a 10-1 major and a 7-0 decision, but saw his day come to an end with a 9-5 decision.
