BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team jumped out to an early 8-4 lead during its Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) dual at Binghamton on Sunday. However, the Bearcats (5-2, 3-1 EIWA) won the tight matches in the middle of the lineup to hand the Diplomats (3-2, 1-1 EIWA) their first conference loss of the season.
The Bearcats did strike first with a 14-5 major decision at 125 lbs., but a technical fall from Mason Leiphart and decision from Bryce Kresho had the visitors in front after winning two of the first matches. Leiphart got a quick takedown and added seven near fall points to lead 10-0 after three minutes. After his opponent took neutral, the senior captain hit a Jonesy tilt to cap his 15-0 technical fall in 4:05. Leiphart's fourth tech fall of the season adds to his school record with 29 career technical falls. Kresho, another captain for the Diplomats, had takedowns during each of the first two periods and added a riding time point to just miss bonus points of his own in an 8-1 decision at 141 lbs.
Tight matches would ultimately swing the match in the host Bearcats' favor. At 149 lbs., Pat Phillips went to sudden victory tied at 1-1. He was defending a single leg attempt with some strong technique at the edge of the mat, but was ultimately issued a stalling call when he kicked free from the hold while going out of bounds in the process. That second stall call proved to be the difference in the 2-1 decision. Seniors Josh Hillard (157 lbs.) and Josh Palmucci (165 lbs.) were both pursuing takedowns late in their matches to tie or win, but Binghamton held off those late charges during respective 7-4 and 6-3 decisions. Nationally-ranked Carter Baer of the host Bearcats got the 5-0 decision at 174 lbs. to make the score 16-8.
James Conway stopped that run of four successive wins for the home side as the No. 7-ranked wrestler at 184 lbs. scored three takedowns and had four near fall during the opening period before adding another takedown and the fall in 3:44 to make the team score 16-14 with two matches to go. Conway now has an NCAA Division I-leading 74 takedowns to go with his national lead of 25 wins. Nevertheless, Binghamton held on for the win as Leo Varga bumped up to 197 lbs. but was downed in a 12-2 major decision before the Bearcats picked up a 6-0 decision with Brody Kline taking the mat at heavyweight. The Diplomats had the only back points of the entire dual, but a 13-8 advantage in total takedowns loomed large in the path to victory for the home side.
The Diplomats return to EIWA action this coming Saturday, January 24 when the team heads back north for a dual at Sacred Heart that is set for a 4:30 p.m. start.
Binghamton 23, Franklin & Marshall 14
125: Carson Wagner (BING) maj. James Garcia (F&M); 14-5 (Binghamton 4-0)
133: Mason Leiphart (F&M) TF Dillon Arrick (BING); 4:05 (15-0) (F&M 5-4)
141: Bryce Kresho (F&M) dec. Ryan Hartung (BING); 8-1 (F&M 8-4)
149: Caleb Sweet (BING) dec. Pat Phillips (F&M); 2-1 (SV) (F&M 8-7)
157: Fin Nadeau (BING) dec. Josh Hillard (F&M); 7-4 (Binghamton 10-8)
165: Jordan Brown (BING) dec. Josh Palmucci (F&M); 6-3 (Binghamton 13-8)
174: #26 Carter Baer (BING) dec. Brandon Carr (F&M); 5-0 (Binghamton (16-8)
184: #7 James Conway (F&M) WBF John Baker (BING); 3:44 (Binghamton 16-14)
197: Mikey Squires (BING) maj. Leo Varga (F&M); 12-2 (Binghamton 20-14)
285: Trent Sibble (BING) dec. Brody Kline (F&M); 6-0 (Binghamton 23-14)
