LANCASTER, Pa. – The Division I Franklin & Marshall wrestling team is excited to announce the addition of nine new Diplomats to the team for the 2025-26 season.
"This incoming class represents everything we strive for at Franklin & Marshall — elite competition experience, academic excellence, and strong character," stated W. Roy Phillips '34 Head Wrestling Coach Mike Rogers. "They've tested themselves against some of the best in high school wrestling and are ready to contribute right away."
With strong ties to the Keystone State, the incoming class features four wrestlers from Pennsylvania, in addition to scholar-athletes from California, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Rogers added that, "When you combine this talented group with our returning core — led by James Conway, Bryce Kresho, Mason Leiphart, and Pat Phillips — we're positioned for what could be one of the most exciting and successful seasons in program history. We can't wait to welcome them to campus and support their continued growth on and off the mat."
Franklin & Marshall Wrestling Class of 2029
- Jude Bowers | 149 | Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. / Point Pleasant Beach High School
- Brandon Carr | 184/197 | Aston, Pa. / Sun Valley High School
- CJ Ferree | 149 | Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin High School
- Brayden Hartranft | 141 | Newmanstown, Pa. / Berks Catholic High School
- Leo Mongiello | 149 | West Sayville, N.Y. / Sayville High School
- Alex Ortiz | 165 | Concord, Calif. / De La Salle High School
- Jesse Scott | 157/165 | Macungie, Pa. / Emmaus High School
- Dylan Shelton | 184/197 | Stony Point, N.Y. / North Rockland High School
- Brendan Sholders | 149 | Centreville, Va. / Westfield High School
The Recruit Breakdown
Jude Bowers
Projected Weight Class: 149 lbs.
Point Pleasant Beach, N.J. / Point Pleasant Beach High School
Career Highlights: Four-year varsity starter, compiling 81 career wins … Two-time team captain … Had the third-most technical falls in the state of New Jersey as a senior, qualifying for the state tournament … Two-time New Jersey District medalist … Placed fourth at the 2025 New Jersey Region VI Championship … Ranked as the No. 6 wrestler by ShoreConferenceWrestling.com … Two-time East Brunswick Bear Invitational Champion … Schalick-Cumberland Tournament Champion … Four-year Honor Roll Student … Received Superintendents Award, along with Highest Performance honors in AP World History and Physical Education.
Brandon Carr
Projected Weight Class: 184/197 lbs.
Aston, Pa. / Sun Valley High School
Career Highlights: Career record of 160-21, breaking the school record for most career wins … NHSCA All-American … PIAA AAA Runner-Up (2025), setting school record for wins in a single season … Three-time state qualifier … Two-time regional finalist, winning the championship in 2025 … Three-time sectional finalist, winning championships during junior and senior season.
CJ Ferree
Projected Weight Class: 149 lbs.
Harrisburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin High School
Career Highlights: 137-56 career record … Two-time PIAA AAA State Place Winner, taking eighth during both his junior and senior seasons where he won 86 combined matches … Two-time regional third-place finisher … Two-time sectional Champion … Additionally won the Solanco Mule Classic, Conestoga Valley Championship, and finished runner-up at the Coal Cracker Tournament … Named to the Distinguished Honor Roll.
Brayden Hantranft
Projected Weight Class: 141 lbs.
Newmanstown, Pa. / Berks Catholic High School
Career Highlights: 161-45 career record … Placed sixth at 2025 PIAA AA State Championship … Four-time PIAA AA State Qualifier, finishing in the round of 12 three times in addition to his state medal … Four-time place winner at both the District III and South East Regional Championship, advancing to the sectional finals three times.
Leo Mongiello
Projected Weight Class: 149 lbs.
West Sayville, N.Y. / Sayville High School
Career Highlights: Two-time fourth-place finisher at the New York State Championship, advancing to the state tournament three times … Two-time Section XI D1 Wrestling finalist, winning the title in 2025 … Three-time Section XI D1 League Champion, advancing to the finals all four seasons.
Alex Ortiz
Projected Weight Class: 165 lbs.
Concord, California / De La Salle High School
Career Highlights: Two-time East Bay Athletic League (EBAL) Champion … California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State qualifier, finishing with a 48-12 record as a senior … Placed second at the 2025 North Coast Section Championship, finishing third as a junior … Took fourth at 2024 Freakshow Elite Tournament … Named team's Most Outstanding Wrestler as a senior … Voted Most Improved Wrestler following junior season.
Jesse Scott
Projected Weight Class: 157/165 lbs.
Macungie, Pa. / Emmaus High School
Career Highlights: Career record of 104-49 … PIAA AAA State qualifier as a senior … Two-time PIAA AAA North East Regional Medalist, placing second in 2025 … Three-time District XI Place Winner, advancing to the finals during his final senior … Three-time team captain.
Dylan Shelton
Projected Weight Class: 184/197 lbs.
Stony Point, N.Y. / North Rockland High School
Career Highlights: Career record of 90-29 … Team captain … Advanced to the finals of the New York State Championship after defeating the top-ranked wrestler during the tournament … Rockland County Wrestler of the Year … Finished senior season with a 43-4 record, winning Rockland County and Kohl Championship Tournaments … Three-time All-Section I selection.
Brendan Sholders
Projected Weight Class: 149 lbs.
Centreville, Va. / Westfield High School
Career Highlights: 133-49 career record … Four-time Virginia High School League (VHSL) State Place Winner Westfield High School … Two-time Northern Regional Champion … Four-year Scholar-Athlete Award recipient.
