LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team opened its home dual schedule with an EIWA Independence Division matchup against Binghamton on Saturday afternoon inside the Mayser Center. Bryce Kresho avenged one of his earlier defeats from the year to get F&M on the board at 141 lbs., but the Bearcats would emerge with the 36-4 final in their favor.
Kresho – the NCAA's winningest wrestler – picked up his 27th victory of the season as he avenged a 14-7 loss from the Journeymen Collegiate Classic against Binghamton's Nate Lucier. Picking up the 12-3 major decision during his most recent win, Kresho trailed 3-2 after a first period takedown that was followed by his own reversal. The F&M captain really turned up the pace during the second and third periods as he escaped to tie the match at three-all before earning a takedown throughout both of the final two periods. Kresho additionally earned a pair of stalling points during those last two periods and had the riding time advantage for the 12-3 final.
Josh Hillard nearly made it back-to-back victories as a single second of riding time was the difference in his 7-6 match at 149 lbs. Hillard earned the first period takedown and ride out to get out to the 3-0 early advantage. Binghamton's Ivan Garcia got to within a single point at 4-3 after a reversal and stalling point, while Hillard earned his escape in the second. Hillard also escaped to start third period to make the score 5-3. Binghamton got the takedown to take its first lead of the 149 lb. bout before Hillard escaped, but the riding time was at exactly one minute to provide the deciding point in the bout.
The dual started at 125 lbs. where Jack Parker was able to save a team point against the No. 33 wrestler in the country as his takedown during the final seconds resulted in a 12-6 decision. As a team, the Bearcats earned three major decisions and a pair of falls throughout the match to come away with the conference victory.
Wrestling returns home next Saturday, January 25 for another EIWA Independence Division matchup when the Diplomats battle Sacred Heart at 7:30 p.m. inside the Mayser Center.
Binghamton 36, Franklin & Marshall 4
125: #33 Carson Wagner (BING) dec. Jack Parker (F&M); 12-6 (BING 3-0)
133: Micah Roes (BING) WBF Ejiro Montoya (F&M); 2:48 (BING 9-0)
141: Bryce Kresho (F&M) maj. Nate Lucier (BING); 12-3 (BING 9-4)
149: Ivan Garcia (BING) dec. Josh Hillard (F&M); 7-6 (BING 12-4)
157: Fin Nadeau (BING) maj. Luke Bender (F&M); 11-2 (BING 16-4)
165: Carter Baer (BING) dec. Josh Palmucci (F&M); 10-4 (BING 19-4)
174: Roberto Padilla (BING) dec. Dominic Wheatley (F&M); 8-1 (BING 22-4)
184: #25 Will Ebert (BING) maj. Leo Varga (F&M); 8-0 (BING 26-4)
197: Cayden Bevis (BING) maj. RJ Moore (F&M); 11-2 (BING 30-4)
285: #17 Cory Day (BING) WBF Brody Kline (F&M); 2:17 (BING 36-4)
