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LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall wrestling returns to dual-meet competition following a one-week hiatus as the Diplomats host Bucknell on Thursday before hitting the road for a doubleheader on Saturday in New York.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, Jan. 30 – vs. Bucknell – 8:00 PM
Video | Live Stats | History
Saturday, Feb. 1 – vs. Columbia (@Hofstra) – 3:00 PM
Live Stats | History
Saturday, Feb. 1 – at Hofstra – 4:30 PM
Live Stats | History
A Look at Bucknell
The Bison head into Thursday night's match with a 6-3 overall mark and four straight dual wins. Bucknell battered Drexel the last time on the mats with a 27-2 win on Sunday in Lewisburg, Pa. A pair of nationally-ranked grapplers appear in the lineup. Zach Hartman (165 pounds) checks in at No. 17 in Division I while Drew Phipps (197 pounds) sits at No. 28.
A Look at Hofstra
Hofstra enters the week with a 4-5 dual mark after downing Long Island by a 38-6 tally at home on Sunday. The Pride finished in 15th place at last year's EIWA Championships but have looked strong in duals this season with key wins over the Citadel (36-7) and Binghamton (25-11).
A Look at Columbia
Columbia features talent throughout the lineup, headlined by three grapplers that are ranked by numerous news outlets. Joe Manchio is ranked as high as No. 23 in the nation, along with 141-pounder Matt Kazimir (No. 17), and Kyle Mosher (No. 32). The Lions enter the week at 2-2 and are fresh off a narrow 21-20 win over American on Jan. 19th.
Last Week
F&M opened its home slate with a 1-2 mark on Jan. 17-19 in Lancaster. Harvard escaped Mayser with a 26-16 win despite the Diplomats winning three of the final five bouts on the night. Recap.
Match one of a Sunday doubleheader came down to criteria for the tiebreaker as Sacred Heart pulled out an 18-17 heartbreaker. The Diplomats claimed two-consecutive decisions to storm back and tie the dual, but the Pioneers were given the upper hand due to a razor-thin 65-64 margin in total match points scored. Recap.
F&M answered in resounding fashion with a 21-19 thriller over Brown in the nightcap. Wil Gil (141 pounds) and Emmett LiCastri (165 pounds) each tallied pins in the match, while Cenzo Pelusi cemented the victory with a 4-2 decision at 285 pounds. To view highlights from Pelusi's match-sealing third-period, click here. Recap.
Moving up the Wins Chart
Emmett LiCastri (165 pounds) and Wil Gil (141 pounds) both surpassed the 50-win plateau this season. Gil has tallied a team-best 24-7 mark during his junior year and currently holds a 71-36 overall record, which places him 14th on the all-time wins list.
LiCastri enters the week with 23 victories during his senior campaign and holds a 67-57 career record. He is now tied for 18th place on the Diplomats' all-time list.
Put a Pin in it
With five pins on the year, senior captain Emmett LiCastri is up to 21 in his career. He became one of only 15 F&M wrestlers to record 20 falls in his career and is just two shy of reaching the top-10.
Gil is up to seven pins on the year and is quickly approaching the 20-falls plateau as well with 16 for his career.
Ending a Streak
The Diplomats 21-19 stunner of Brown on Jan. 19th marked the program's first win in the series since the 1964-65 season, breaking a 24-match winless streak against the Bears. The victory snapped F&M's second-longest losing streak against an opponent, second only to Army.
Home Mat Advantage
Five Diplomats placed in the top-eight at the 2020 David H. Lehman F&M Open on Jan. 4th – good for the most-ever for the program at their home tournament.
Wil Gil, Noah Chan, and Emmett LiCastri led the way with third-place showings. Mike Waszen followed in sixth and Cenzo Pelusi tied for eighth.
Top-Five in Wins
Wil Gil | 141 lbs. | 24-7 Record
Emmett LiCastri | 165 lbs. | 23-8 Record
Noah Chan | 157 lbs. | 17-8 Record
Cenzo Pelusi | 285 lbs. | 17-12 Record
Cole Aaron | 157 lbs. | 14-9 Record
Top-Five in Pins
Wil Gil | 141 lbs. | 7 Pins
Emmett LiCastri | 165 lbs. | 5 Pins
Cole Aaron | 157 lbs. | 4 Pins
Noah Chan | 157 lbs. | 4 Pins
Cristiaan Dailey | 149 lbs. | 4 Pins
Important Dates
Friday, Jan. 24 – first release of NCAA Coaches' rank
Thursday, Feb. 13 – second release of NCAA coaches' rank/first release of RPI rankings
Thursday, Feb. 27 – conference allocations for NCAA championships, third release of NCAA coaches' rank/RPI
Tuesday, March 10 – Release the 330 qualifiers for the Division I Wrestling Championships
Wednesday, March 11 – TBA - NCAA.com selection show that reveals seeding and brackets for championships
Thursday, March 19-21 - 2020 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship - U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn.
EIWA Tickets
Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 EIWA Championships, which are hosted by Lehigh and are set to run from March 6-7.
An all-session pass costs $75.00 and can be purchased here. Tickets for college students, as well as children 12 and under will cost $36 and are available by clicking here.
