LANCASTER, Pa. – Franklin & Marshall wrestling wraps up its 2019-20 dual meet season this week with a pair of highly-anticipated matchups. Action opens at home on Thursday against Millersville in the annual battle for the Rupp Cup trophy before the Diplomats travel to Penn. on Sunday.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, Feb. 13 – vs. Millersville – 8:00 PM
Video | Live Results | History
Sunday, Feb. 16 – at Penn. – 7:00 PM
Video | Live Results | History | Tickets
A Look at Millersville
Millersville (Division II) heads in the week with a 7-9 dual record after splitting a pair of matches on Saturday. The Marauders feature a young lineup and are led by sophomore 285-pounder Josh Walls (14-8) and first-year 125-pounder Devin Flannery (14-4).
Last season, the Diplomats saw an eight-match series winning streak draw to an end with a tough 22-21 loss that came down to the third tiebreaker criteria.
Rupp Cup History
The Diplomats and the Marauders meet annually for the battle of the Rupp Cup in honor of Lancaster County's wrestling patriarch, Ted Rupp. A student at the Franklin & Marshall Academy and Franklin & Marshall College, Rupp maintained strong ties to both his alma mater and Millersville University. In 1948-49, Rupp coached both Millersville and F&M, finishing with a 20-2 combined record.
That is believed to have been the only time in collegiate wrestling history when one man coached two colleges concurrently. In honor of his distinguished service to both institutions, the Rupp Cup is now awarded to the winner of the annual meeting.
For more information on the history of this rivalry, click here.
Senior Night
Before the start of Thursday's dual against Millersville, the Diplomats will honor their six-member senior class of Cole Aaron, Brett Kulp, Emmett LiCastri, Reid Robilotto, Eli Smith, and Jimmy Stillerman.
A Look at Penn
The Quakers enter the week with a 5-6 overall record after dropping a pair of duals against Columbia (17-15) and Cornell (30-6) last Saturday. Penn features two grapplers who are ranked in the NCAA Coaches' poll - 125-pounder Michael Colaiocco (No. 8) and 141-pounder Doug Zapf (No. 19).
F&M is 26-26 all-time against Penn in a series that dates back to 1924. The Diplomats controlled the matchup from 1974-1989 with a perfect 14-0 mark but are searching for their first in the series since 1991.
Last Time Out
F&M dropped a trio of tough Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) duals on Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Wil Gil claimed the team's lone win against Bucknell with a 9-7 decision as the Diplomats were handed a 36-3 setback in Mayser. Recap.
The following Saturday, F&M traveled to Hofstra University where the Diplomats nearly upset Columbia but came up short by a 25-15 score. F&M claimed five wins in the dual, including Gil's statement win over No. 28 ranked Matt Kazimir in a 7-5 decision. Recap.
Action concluded against the hosts, Hofstra with a 45-3 loss. Gil was victorious again to remain unbeaten in dual-meet action on the season at a perfect 9-0 with a 3-2 decision win over Vinny Vespa. Recap.
Messiah Open
A trio of Diplomats placed at last Saturday's Messiah Open. Michael Waszen led the effort with a 3-1 mark at 197 pounds to claim third while John Crawford nabbed fourth at 174 pounds with three pins on the day and Sean Coakley secured seventh at 141 pounds. To view complete results, click here.
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 27-7 mark during his junior year and currently holds a 74-36 overall record, which places him 12th on the all-time wins list. He is just two victories shy of entering the program's top-10 single-season wins list.
LiCastri enters the week with 24 victories during his senior campaign and holds a 68-59 career record. He is now tied for 16th 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. | 27-7 Record
Emmett LiCastri | 165 lbs. | 24-10 Record
Cenzo Pelusi | 285 lbs. | 18-14 Record
Noah Chan | 157 lbs. | 17-11 Record
Cole Aaron | 157 lbs. | 14-9 Record
Top-Five in Pins
Wil Gil | 141 lbs. | 7 Pins
John Crawford | 174 lbs. | 6 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 – 6:00 PM - 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.
