PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – James Conway become the third Franklin & Marshall wrestler to join the 100 win club with a technical fall during the Diplomats' Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) match at Drexel on Saturday night. Conway joined All-American Rick Durso and former teammate Wil Gil in the prestigious club with his Division I-leading 11th technical fall while also adding to his Division I lead in total victories (27).
To record win No. 100, Conway added to his Division I lead in takedowns as he racked up six more during the course of his 19-4 technical fall in 6:45. Four of those takedowns came during the final period against Drexel's Chris Mance III. Conway's latest victory improved his season record to 27-1 where he is also a perfect 7-0 in dual meets and 6-0 against EIWA competition.
Bryce Kresho had another big win at 141 lbs. as he earned a nationally-ranked victory versus No. 33 Jordan Soriano in a rematch from last year's EIWA Championship. Kresho was already up 7-1 after his second takedown in as many periods before securing the fall at the 4:52 mark.
Going up against a squad that entered the match with six nationally-ranked wrestlers, the Diplomats had a number of chances to score other victories that were ultimately spoiled by the Dragons. At 125 lbs., James Garcia was chasing down the potential match-tying takedown before his nationally-ranked opponent scored a counter during the final seconds. At 149 lbs., Pat Phillips never trailed until the final seconds as he scored the opening takedown, but was ultimately denied in the 8-7 decision following a last second takedown.
Josh Hillard (157 lbs.) and Josh Palmucci (165 lbs.) also had chances late in their matches. Hillard scored a third period takedown against the No. 24-ranked wrestler in the country, but could not find another in a 6-3 decision. The only thing that separated Palmucci and his opponent was riding time in a 3-2 decision. The Dragons racked up their bonus points with technical falls at 133 lbs. and 197 lbs., while adding major decisions at 174 lbs. and heavyweight.
Wrestling gets the chance for a quick turnaround as the Diplomats will be back at home for another EIWA dual against Hofstra. That match will also be Youth Day inside the Mayser Center where the first match is set for a 1 p.m. start.
Drexel 30, Franklin & Marshall 11
125: #28 Desmond Pleasant (Drexel) dec. James Garcia (F&M); 7-1 (Drexel 3-0)
133: #31 Kyle Waterman (Drexel) TF Ejiro Montoya (F&M); 4:12 (20-3) (Drexel 8-0)
141: Bryce Kresho (F&M) WBF #33 Jordan Soriano (Drexel); 4:52 (Drexel 8-6)
149: Deon Pleasant (Drexel) dec. Pat Phillips (F&M); 8-7 (Drexel 11-6)
157: #24 Luke Nichter (Drexel) dec. Josh Hillard (F&M); 6-3 (Drexel 14-6)
165: Dom Findora (Drexel) dec. Josh Palmucci (F&M); 3-2 (Drexel 17-6)
174: Cody Walsh (Drexel) maj. Brandon Carr (F&M); 10-2 (Drexel (21-6)
184: #5 James Conway (F&M) TF Chris Mance III (Drexel); 6:45 (19-4) (Drexel (21-11)
197: Ibrahim Ameer (Drexel) TF Jake Allred (F&M); 6:39 (18-3) (Drexel 26-11)
285: #21 Nate Schon (Drexel) over Brody Kline (F&M) (MD 10-1) (Drexel 30-11)
