LEXINGTON, Va. – Franklin & Marshall's wrestling team led early but was unable to hold on, falling to VMI by a 27-9 score on Sunday afternoon in Lexington, Va. The loss dropped the Diplomats to 1-4 on the year, while the Keydets improved to 1-1.
Dropping an 8-0 major decision at 125 to begin the match, F&M responded with a narrow 3-0 decision victory by Scott Stevens at 133 to pull within one. Stevens recorded all of his points in the third period, opening with an escape and ending with a late takedown.
Paddy Quinlan followed at 141 with a solid 12-8 decision. The sophomore grappler led by a 9-2 mark after the first, scoring points off a pair of takedowns and four nearfall points. His opponent John Reed battled back, but Quinlan registered a reverse and a takedown in the third to seal the win.
VMI recaptured the lead at 149 with a 5-3 decision despite strong opposition from the Diplomats' Jason Bing. The Keydets pulled away from there, recording a pin at 157 and a pair of major decisions to go in front by 15. Anthony Mancini battled at 184, but came up short by a 7-2 mark, Charles Kerkesner was unable to respond to a first period takedown en route to a 6-4 decision loss at 197.
Antonio Pelusi closed out action on a high note, earning a closely-contested 3-2 decision at 285. Pelusi trailed by a 1-0 margin heading into the third, before picking up an escape and a takedown to record the win.
Action continues for the Diplomats on Sunday, sending a split squad to compete the Keystone Classic (hosted by Penn) and the Mat Town Open (hosted by Lock Haven).
VMI 27, F&M 9
125: Dalton Henderson (VMI) over Edgar Garcia (F&M) (MD 8-0)
133: Scott Stevens (F&M) over Dominick Gallo (VMI) (Dec 3-0)
141: Patrick Quinlan (F&M) over John Reed (VMI) (Dec 12-8)
149: Emmitt Kelly (VMI) over Jason Bing (F&M) (Dec 5-3)
157: Neal Richards (VMI) over Andy Francos (F&M) (Fall 1:57)
165: Shabaka Johns (VMI) over Gordon Bolig (F&M) (MD 9-0)
174: Mark Darr (VMI) over Colin Gironda (F&M) (MD 11-3)
184: Derek Thurman (VMI) over Anthony Mancini (F&M) (Dec 7-2)
197: Urayoan Garcia (VMI) over Charles Kerkesner (F&M) (Dec 6-4)
285: Antonio Pelusi (F&M) over Sivaatasi Mathias (VMI) (Dec 3-2)
