LANCASTER, Pa. – For the third consecutive year and 11th time in the last 12 seasons under head coach Mike Rogers, the Rupp Cup is staying at Franklin & Marshall after the Diplomats handed nearby Millersville a 29-12 defeat on Friday night. Tied at nine-all heading into the halftime break, the Diplomats won four of the final five bouts – including two pins and a technical fall over that span.
The dual meet started at 285 lbs. where Cenzo Pelusi won his home finale via a 13-3 major decision as he secured five takedowns against the Marauder heavyweight to get his team out to the early 4-0 lead. Mason Leiphart built on that early F&M advantage with more bonus points as he recorded his Division I-leading 12th technical fall of his rookie campaign in just 3:26. Leiphart had two takedowns and two sets a four near-fall during the opening period and got one more turn when his opponent took bottom during the second for the early match termination.
Millersville turned the momentum in its favor just prior to the halftime break with three consecutive decision victories. Pat Phillips went up against the nation's top Division II wrestler at 133 lbs. and was in on multiple takedowns throughout the match before a late roll saw Devin Flannery come out the back to score the winning takedown. Aidan O'Shea rode the entire final two periods on top after trailing 4-1 following the first period at 141 lbs. He earned a stalling point and riding time, but just couldn't find the winning turn during the final two periods. At 149 lbs., Bryce Kresho's third period reversal cut the deficit to 4-2 before his nationally-ranked opponent escaped and got a riding time point to tie the team score heading into the break.
Nick Alvarez turned the tide back in F&M's favor for good with his 7-2 decision at 157 lbs. Alvarez got an explosive takedown and two back points to open the scoring before earning another takedown in the second for his eventual win. Millersville did manage to tie the score at 12-all heading into the final three bouts with a 3-0 decision from nationally-ranked Brandon Connor.
The second tie would not last for long as the experience of the Diplomat lineup came through during the final three matches. Noah Fox dominated with six takedowns on his feet at 174 lbs., giving F&M the lead for good with his tech fall coming in just 6:14. James Conway officially locked up the Rupp Cup with a cradle just 1:41 into the first period and John Crawford closed the dual with another assassin fall at the 1:56 mark.
Capping the regular season with an 8-5 record, the Diplomats have now posted winning dual meet records in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 campaigns. With Mason Leiphart and John Crawford both earning recognition in the NCAA Rankings, and many more Diplomats looking break into the national conversation, the Franklin & Marshall will now turn its attention to the EIWA Championships which will run from Saturday, March 4 through Sunday, March 5 at the University of Pennsylvania.
Franklin & Marshall 29, Millersville 12
285: Cenzo Pelusi (F&M) maj. Jordan Espinosa (Millersville); 13-3 (F&M 4-0)
125: Mason Leiphart (F&M) TF Bryce Beatty (Millersville); 3:26 (17-2) (F&M 9-0)
133: Devin Flannery (Millersville) dec. Pat Phillips (F&M); 3-1 (F&M 9-3)
141: Timothy Uhler (Millersville) dec. Aidan O'Shea (F&M); 4-3 (F&M 9-6)
149: Craig Cook (Millersville) dec. Bryce Kresho (F&M); 6-2 (Tied 9-9)
157: Nick Alvarez (F&M) dec. Elijah Tuckey (Millersville); 7-2 (F&M 12-9)
165: Brandon Connor (Millersville) dec. Noah Bash (F&M); 3-0 (Tied 12-12)
174: Noah Fox (F&M) TF Andrew Vogelbacher (Millersville); 6:14 (18-3) (F&M 17-12)
184: James Conway (F&M) WBF Braden Newby (Millersville); 1:41 (F&M 23-12)
197: John Crawford (F&M) WBF Daniel Pereira (Millersville); 1:58 (F&M 29-12)
