LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team opened its home dual season on Sunday with a pair of victories as the Diplomats (3-0) doubled up both Virginia Military Institute, 24-12, and Long Island University, 32-16. The Diplomats won 13 of their 20 bouts during the tri-meet and picked up bonus points in seven of those victories.
Pat Phillips (133 lbs.), Wil Gil (141 lbs.), Cristiaan Dailey (149 lbs.), Noah Fox (174 lbs.), and Cenzo Pelusi (285 lbs.) each won both of their bouts on Sunday to pace the Diplomats, while eight different F&M wrestlers picked up at least one victory inside the Mayser Center.
Franklin & Marshall 24, VMI 12
The bonus points came later in the day as Franklin & Marshall grinded out some hard-fought victories to defeat VMI in its first match. The Diplomats won seven of the 10 bouts against the Keydets out of the Southern Conference, keyed by a run of four straight victories from 133 lbs. through 174 lbs. after the dual started at 125 lbs.
Seniors Wil Gil and Cristiaan Dailey controlled their matches on their feet as they each secured three takedowns during their decisions. Pat Phillips and Chase McCollum scored in all three positions as they each had a takedown, reversal, and riding time during their victories as the Diplomats held a 12-6 advantage after five matches.
VMI closed the gap with a victory at 165 lbs. after a late throw attempt by the Diplomats was unsuccessful. However, Noah Fox and James Conway turned the tide back in F&M's favor with two more decisions. Fox scored a first period takedown and escaped in the third for a 3-2 victory. Conway battled Zach Brown, a wrestler ranked in the final coaches ranking last year, in a highly-anticipated matchup. Conway was up 1-0 after quickly escaping after choosing bottom in the second. F&M's first-year was in on a takedown right at the end of the mat later that period. The two wrestlers were ruled out of bounds, but the tumble onto the gym floor left Brown unable to continue as he forced to inury default.
F&M officially clinched its first victory of the day at 197 lbs. as Mike Waszen held another top-33 wrestler from last season to a decision before Cenzo Pelusi used his own first period takedown and third period escape for a 3-2 victory.
Franklin & Marshall 32, LIU 16
After grinding out six decisions during the opening match, the Diplomats racked up the bonus points in the second against fellow EIWA foe Long Island University as all six F&M victories came with bonus points. That statistic was aided by the Sharks forfeiting to Wil Gil (141 lbs.), Cristiaan Dailey (149 lbs.), and Crew Fullerton (165 lbs.). This dual marked the first in school history between the two programs as LIU joined the EIWA Conference during the 2019-20 season.
Pat Phillips capped his 2-0 day with a 9-0 major to get F&M on the board and tie the team score after two bouts. He scored three takedowns during his match and did not surrender any points on his feet all afternoon. With LIU forfeiting three of the next four weights, F&M took a commanding lead. The Sharks did answer with a victory at 157 lbs. Chase McCollum was leading 2-0 in his bout before his opponent went feet to back for six points. McCollum escaped that hold and escaped to his feet. He choose down and got an escape and subsequent takedown during the third period to tie the bout at six-all before a late reversal gave his opponent an 8-6 victory.
Noah Fox officially secured the Diplomats' win with a shutout of his own at 174 lbs. Leading 2-0 after one period, his opponent took down and Fox punished that choice with four nearfall as he built his riding time up over 4 minutes. The sophomore escaped and added another takedown during the third period before riding time was added on to his 10-0 major decision. Although unable to win, the Sharks did make up some of their deficit with a pin at 184 lbs. before securing a decision at 197 lbs. However, Cenzo Pelusi capped the strong home opener on a high note as he took down Tim Nagosky of LIU and pinned him in just 1:41 to wrap up the day's action.
The Diplomats have started just 3-0 in duals just twice this century, but both of those occurrences have come under the coaching coaching regime during the two most recent seasons. Franklin & Marshall will look to keep that momentum going this coming Friday with a 7 p.m. dual against Ursinus inside the Mayser Center. The Diplomats are 7-1 all-time against the Bears, but Friday's match will be the first between the two programs since January 15, 1944.
Franklin & Marshall 24, VMI 12
125: Sam Congleton (VMI) WBF Eli Wallace (F&M); 2:23 (0-6)
133: Pat Phillips (F&M) dec. Michael Tandurella (VMI); 5-2 (3-6)
141: Wil Gil (F&M) dec. Frederick Junko (VMI); 7-3 (6-6)
149: Cristiaan Dailey (F&M) dec. Luke Hart (VMI); 7-3 (9-6)
157: Chase McCollum (F&M) dec. William Waldron (VMI); 6-2 (12-6)
165: Job Chishko (VMI) dec. Crew Fullerton (F&M); 6-2 (12-9)
174: Noah Fox (F&M) dec. Jon Hoover (VMI); 3-2 (15-9)
184: James Conway (F&M) inj. def. Zach Brown (VMI); 4:23 (21-9)
197: Tyler Mousaw (VMI) dec. Mike Waszen (F&M); 7-1 (21-12)
285: Cenzo Pelusi (F&M) dec. Isaac Dolph (VMI); 3-2 (24-12)
Franklin & Marshall 32, LIU 16
125: Robert Sigaris (LIU) maj. Eli Wallace (F&M); 16-2 (0-4)
133: Pat Phillips (F&M) maj. Kaelan Francois (LIU); 9-0 (4-4)
141: Wil Gil (F&M) won by forfeit (10-4)
149: Cristiaan Dailey (F&M) won by forfeit (16-4)
157: James Johnston (LIU) dec. Chase McCollum (F&M); 8-6 (16-7)
165: Crew Fullerton (F&M) won by forfeit (22-7)
174: Noah Fox (F&M) maj. Michael Parrish (LIU); 10-0 (26-7)
184: James Langan (LIU) WBF James Conway (F&M); 1:10 (26-13)
197: Nunzio Crowley (LIU) dec. Mike Waszen (F&M); 6-1 (26-16)
285: Cenzo Pelusi (F&M) WBF Timothy Nagosky (LIU); 1:41 (32-16)
