LANCASTER, Pa. – Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) foe Bucknell heads to the Mayser Center on Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with Franklin & Marshall, who is entering the final month of the 2017-18 regular season.
Friday, Feb. 2 – vs. Bucknell – 7:30 p.m.
Video | Live Results
Scouting Bucknell: The Bison head into Friday's contest with a 2-11 overall record and a 1-5 mark in EIWA competition. Four of Bucknell's losses occurred against top-25 opponents. The last Bison win occurred on Jan. 19 with a 21-10 win at home against Harvard.
Friday's probable lineup for Bucknell features one ranked grappler in 141-pounder Tyler Smith (No. 13). Smith is a three-time NCAA qualifier and a two-time EIWA place winner after finishing third in 2015 and fourth in 2017.
The Diplomats last win in the all-time series occurred at home with a 23-21 F&M victory on Feb. 14, 2014. In the all-time series, which dates back to the first meeting in 1947, the Diplomats lead by a 21-15-1 margin.
Grapplers Competing at Messiah: F&M will also send wrestlers to compete at the Messiah Open on Saturday. The event, which takes place in Grantham, Pa., is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. For more information, click here.
Penn Dual Recap: F&M battled Penn in a 31-16 loss last Saturday on the road. The Diplomats pulled within three at 19-16 with just two matches remaining but were pinned in the final two bouts. F&M picked up three wins on the day off of a 6-0 decision from Josh Young at 174 pounds, a 6-2 decision from Antonio Pelusi at 285 pounds and a 14-4 major decision from Brett Kulp at 141 pounds.
To read the complete recap, click here.
EIWA Tickets: Single-session tickets are now on sale for the 2018 EIWA Championships, hosted by Hofstra on March 3-4. To purchase single, as well as all-session passes for the event, click here.
Wins Leaders: Antonio Pelusi, a 2016 NCAA Qualifier at 285 pounds, paces the Diplomats with a 17-5 record, including a 7-1 mark in duals.
Freshman Brett Kulp (141 pounds) is 15-11 with a 6-5 dual-meet record while classmate Wil Gil (133 pounds) has garnered a 13-13 record, and has registered a team-leading four pins.
Anthony Mancini holds an 18-9 record this season, competing unattached at 184 pounds, while Paddy Quinlan, also competing unattached, has accumulated a 15-6 mark.
To view complete statistics for all of F&M's wrestlers, click here.
Pelusi's Hot Streak: Pelusi has won 11 of his previous 12 matchups, dating back to Dec. 2. The 285-pounder holds a 5-1 mark over EIWA opponents during that stretch.
