LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team wrapped up its regular season on Sunday with an EIWA dual versus Hofstra. Sunday's dual was also Senior Day for the Diplomats' Class of 2022, with the team celebrating the careers of Chris Bolletino, Cristiaan Dailey, Gio Diaz, Crew Fullerton, Wil Gil, Chase McCollum, Cenzo Pelusi, and Mike Waszen prior to the start of the dual.

Unfortunately for the Diplomats, Hofstra spoiled the end result as it handed F&M its first home and EIWA setback of the season. Despite the Pride winning seven matches, six of the 10 matches contested on Sunday were decided by two points or less. Hofstra won five of those matches to secure the 22-11 dual victory.

Pat Phillips, Wil Gil, and John Crawford were all victorious for the Diplomats. Phillips earned an 8-0 major decision with the help of near fall during both the first and second periods to finish his regular season at 15-9, including an 8-1 record in duals. Crawford closed the dual with bonus points as he secured two takedowns and earned four near fall during the second period in an 11-1 victory. Crawford finished his regular season at 9-5, sporting a 6-2 record against EIWA competition.

Wil Gil notched a pair of wins as he looked to strengthen his postseason resume. Gil used a third period takedown in his favor to pick up the 4-2 win in the dual. He added a first period pin during an extra match and wraps up his regular season at 23-5. That included a perfect 10-0 record in duals and an 11-1 mark versus EIWA competition.

Starting off the dual at 184 lbs., the Pride were able to showcase their three nationally-ranked wrestlers as they jumped out to an early 10-0 lead. James Conway was up 2-0 against his nationally-ranked opponent as he earned a stalling point in the first period and escaped in the second before his opponent got a third period takedown to claim the 4-2 win. A third period takedown was also the difference at 285 lbs. as Cenzo Pelusi went toe-to-toe with a top 20 wrestler. At 197 lbs., Trey Rogers of Hofstra secured five takedowns during the dual and added a technical fall in the extra countable matches.

Third period takedowns continued to be a theme of the meet as they proved to be the difference at 125, 149, and 157 lbs. During all three matches, the Diplomats struck first and had early leads before the Pride rebounded in the final two minutes. Hofstra's final dual victory came at 165 lbs. where Noah Fox made his season debut at the weight, falling to Hofstra's Ricky Stamm by a 7-1 score.

Despite today's result, the Diplomats will have the opportunity to rebound in two weeks when they travel to Cornell for the EIWA Championships which will take place on Saturday, March and Sunday, March 6.

Hofstra 22, Franklin & Marshall 11
184: #33 Charles Small (HOF) dec. James Conway (F&M); 4-2 (3-0)
197: #32 Trey Rogers (HOF) maj. Mike Waszen (F&M); 15-4 (7-0)
285: #18 Zachary Knighton-Ward (HOF) dec. Cenzo Pelusi (F&M); 4-2 (10-0)
125: Jacob Moon (HOF) dec. Gio Diaz (F&M); 5-4 (13-0)
133: Pat Phillips (F&M) maj. Matt Templeton (HOF); 8-0 (13-4)
141: Wil Gil (F&M) dec. Justin Hoyle (HOF); 4-2 (13-7)
149: Michael Leandrou (HOF) dec. Cristiaan Dailey (F&M); 5-3 (16-7)
157: Joseph McGinty (HOF) dec. Chase McCollum (F&M); 7-5 (19-7)
165: Ricky Stamm (HOF) dec. Noah Fox (F&M); 7-1 (22-7)
174: John Crawford (F&M) maj. Ericson Velaquez (HOF); 11-1 (22-11)
197 Extra: #32 Trey Rogers (HOF) TF Harrison Shapiro (F&M); 4:14 (22-4)
141 Extra: Wil Gil WBF Mario Biancamano (HOF); 1:42