COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team closed the dual portion of its 2022 calendar year with a 33-13 win at Ursinus on Wednesday night. The Diplomats (2-2) were making their first-ever trip to Collegeville in the all-time series which dates back to the early days of the program. The visting Diplomats secured three bonus point victories and two additional forfeits while racking up a 17-4 advantage in takedowns.

First-year Mason Leiphart came into the night tied for the Division I lead in technical falls and now holds the outright lead with his fifth of the season following Wednesday's performance. He did most of his work from the top position, securing a full set of four near fall points during each of the three periods, including one final set from his feet to register at 21-3 decision before time expired with his opponent on his back.

Aidan O'Shea wrestled his first match as a member of the varsity lineup and came away with an 11-0 major decision. O'Shea had a takedown in the first and reversal in the second to really build up his riding time before securing a takedown and four more back points in addition to the riding time over the final period of his victory. Pat Phillips wrestled up at 141 lbs. for the second straight competition and used a first period takedown to build up his riding time in an eventual 4-0 decision as F&M raced out to a 12-0 lead in the team score.

The Bears won three matches on the night and got two of those victories at 149 lbs. and 165 lbs. where back points against the Diplomats loomed large in the final outcome. Ursinus recorded its final victory of the night at heavyweight where Tyler O'Boyle made his Franklin & Marshall wrestling debut while also playing on the football team for the past two seasons.

In between the Bears' first two victories, Nick Alvarez won via forfeit before John Crawford also won uncontested during the second to last scheduled match of the night. The Diplomats got momentum back on their side at 174 lbs. when Noah Fox poured on three third period takedowns to post a 9-2 decision. The final F&M win of the night was also the team's first pin as sophomore James Conway scored five takedowns throughout the first two periods before planting his opponent on the mat during the second period (Fall 3:51).

Wrestling now has time away from competition as it heads into final exams. The Diplomats will return to action over the holiday season to complete the 2022 portion of its schedule. Franklin & Marshall's return to competition will come at the Wilkes Open on Thursday, December 22 before the Diplomats later take part in the prestigious Midlands Championships in Chicago from December 29-30.

Franklin & Marshall 33, Ursinus 13
125: Mason Leiphart (F&M) TF Terry Adams (Ursinus); 7:00 (21-3) (F&M 5-0)
133: Aidan O'Shea (F&M) maj. Michael Adams (Ursinus); 11-0 (F&M 9-0)
141: Pat Phillips (F&M) dec. Romeo Rodriguez (Ursinus); 4-0 (F&M 12-0)
149: Dante Monaco (Ursinus) dec. Avery Clarke (F&M); 8-3 (F&M 12-3)
157: Nick Alvarez (F&M) won by forfeit (F&M 18-3)
165: Shawn Marchesano (Ursinus) maj. RJ Moore (F&M); 12-3 (F&M 18-7)
174: Noah Fox (F&M) dec. Jackson Brandt (Ursinus); 9-2 (F&M 21-7)
184: James Conway (F&M) WBF Connor Fritsch (Ursinus); 3:51 (F&M 27-7)
197: John Crawford (F&M) won by forfeit (F&M 33-7)
285: Jake Ahmad (Ursinus) WBF Tyler O'Boyle (F&M); 1:27 (F&M 33-13)