LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team closed out its Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) slate in style with a 51-0 win against Morgan State on Wednesday night inside the Mayser Center. The Diplomats (6-3, 4-2 EIWA) and Bears were meeting for the first time in program history after Morgan State reinstated its program during the 2023-24 season.
The shutout victory was the 57th time the Diplomats have won every match in a dual meet throughout over 100 years of wrestling as tonight marked that first time that has happened since the 43-0 win against Sacred Heart on January 17, 2014. The shutout was the Diplomats' fifth against an EIWA opponent dating back to when the Diplomats joined the conference during the 1947-48 season. The 51-point different also represented the largest margin of victory in school history and was tied for the most team points in a dual meet victory. F&M previously scored 51 points in a single dual meet during a 51-6 victory against Boston College on January 12, 2002.
With the dual starting at 133 lbs., the Diplomats had first period pins from Bryce Kresho (141 lbs.) and Brody Kline. Kresho now has six pins this season while Kline's fall was the second of his sophomore campaign. F&M also got six points via forfeits to Pat Phillips (149 lbs.) and Josh Hillard (157 lbs.).
Mason Leiphart (133 lbs.) started the dual with a technical fall in just 1:56 and he was one of four Diplomats to win via tech fall, joining Josh Palmucci (165 lbs.), fifth-ranked James Conway (184 lbs.), and Leo Varga (197 lbs.). Conway's technical fall gave him sole possession of the Division I lead with his 12th technical fall this season as he ran his record to 29-1. James Garcia closed the dual meet with a 18-5 major decision at 125 lbs., while Brandon Carr used riding time to his advantage in a 2-1 decision at 174 lbs.
The Diplomats finished the dual with a 101-14 advantage in match points over the eight contested matches as two Morgan State reversals were the Bears only points outside of escapes for the visitors. F&M additionally had a 19-0 advantage in takedowns and scored 37 back points..
Franklin & Marshall will have a busy weekend upcoming as 18 wrestlers are set to compete in the Messiah Open on Saturday, February 14. The team will wrap up the dual meet portion of its schedule on Sunday, February 15 with the annual Rupp Cup. Millersville will host this year's Lancaster rivalry with action set to get started at 2 p.m. that day.
Franklin & Marshall 51, Morgan State 0
133: Mason Leiphart (F&M) TF Jimmie Jones (Morgan State); 1:56 (15-0) (F&M 5-0)
141: Bryce Kresho (F&M) WBF Shawn Ryncarz (Morgan State); 2:10 (F&M 11-0)
149: Pat Phillips (F&M) won by forfeit (F&M 17-0)
157: Josh Hillard (F&M) won by forfeit (F&M 23-0)
165: Josh Palmucci (F&M) TF Joshua Greenwood (Morgan State); 3:58 (17-0) (F&M 28-0)
174: Brandon Carr (F&M) dec. Cort Vann (Morgan State); 2-1 (F&M 31-0)
184: #5 James Conway (F&M) TF Bryce Phillips (Morgan State); 4:09 (20-3) (F&M 36-0)
197: Leo Varga (F&M) TF Eric Washington Jr. (Morgan State); 6:39 (20-4) (F&M 41-0)
285: Brody Kline (F&M) WBF Eli Turpin (Morgan State); 2:25 (F&M 47-0)
125: James Garcia (F&M) maj. Julian Dawson (Morgan State); 18-5 (F&M 51-0)
