WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team finished up a record-breaking EIWA Tournament on Saturday as the Diplomats set new team records for points scored (56.5) and place winners (7). James Conway became the Diplomats' 25th EIWA finalist on Friday as he qualified his spot to the Division I Championships, but dropped an 8-5 defeat to finish second and lead the Franklin & Marshall contingent of place winners. With his spot in Cleveland already secured entering the day, Conway is the Diplomats' 26th multiple time national qualifier in program history.
Squaring off with third-seeded Caleb Campos of American in the EIWA finals, the Eagle secured a pair of takedowns during the first two periods. Even with two coaching challenges that slowed the pace of the match in the early minutes, Conway forced a number of stall warnings during the final period but was unable to convert on the potential winning takedown during the 8-5 final.
As a team, Franklin & Marshall had seven total wrestlers in action on Saturday. Bryce Kresho took fifth place. Still in the hunt for a bid to national entering the day, Kresho seemingly had momentum on his side as he secured a takedown to cut the lead to 7-6. However, a disputed danger call ultimately swung the match in favor of Army during the final seconds. Kresho would nonetheless finish the tournament with a victory as he defeated Hofstra's Chase Liardi by a 5-1 score on the strength of a second period takedown. He finished his tournament as a two-time EIWA Place Winner with 86 career victories.
James Garcia also found himself in the consolation semifinals entering Saturday, but fell in a pair of decisions to Binghamton and Army to place sixth. During his first year in the starting lineup, Garcia won 19 matches to get the team started in the opening match each competition.
Seniors Mason Leiphart (133 lbs.), Pat Phillips (149 lbs.), Josh Hillard (157 lbs.), and RJ Moore (197 lbs.) were making their second appearances on the EIWA podium as they each placed eighth. Leiphart finished his career with 79 victories and a school record 32 technical falls. Including his redshirt season, Phillips won 94 matches for the Diplomats. Moore made his return trip to the podium after missing over two months of this season due to injury. Hillard was also in his fourth season with the program but is expected to return next season to compete during his redshirt season campaign.
With Conway officially qualified for the NCAA Division I National Championship in Cleveland, Ohio, he will now await his path to a national title on the selection show as the brackets for the 2026 championship will be revealed on NCAA.com on Wednesday, March 11 at 8 p.m. The national tournament will begin on Thursday, March 21 and continues through the national finals on Saturday, March 21.
Franklin & Marshall EIWA Results
#4 James Garcia (125 lbs.) – Sixth Place
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: Won vs. #5 JJ Peace (American); 4-2
Semifinals: Lost vs. #1 Sheldon Seymour (Lehigh); TF: 4:14 (15-0)
Consolation semifinals: Lost vs. #6 Carson Wagner (Binghamton); 7-2
Fifth place: Lost vs. #7 Charlie Farmer (Army); 10-0
#4 Mason Leiphart (133 lbs.) – Eighth place
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: Lost vs. #5 Gauge Shipp (Hofstra); 7-3
Consolation of 8 #2: Won vs. #6 Bryce Manera (Bucknell); 11-0
Consolation quarterfinals: Lost vs. #8 Dillon Arrick (Binghamton); 7-3
Seventh place: Lost vs. #11 Treshaun Tecson (Morgan State); 6-3
#5 Bryce Kresho (141 lbs.) – Fifth Place
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: Lost vs. #4 Dylan Chappell (Bucknell); 11-6
Consolation of 8 #2: Won vs. #11 Branden Rozanski (LIU); 6-3
Consolation quarterfinals: Won vs. #8 Jack Maida (American); 10-1
Consolation semifinals: Lost vs. #3 Braden Basile (Army); 14-6
Fifth place: Won vs. #10 Chase Liardi (Hofstra); 5-1
#8 Pat Phillips (149 lbs.) – Eighth Place
Round of 16: Won vs. #9 Alex Turley (Hofstra); 4-1 (SV)
Quarterfinals: Lost vs. #1 Eugene Harney (Morgan State); 5-0
Consolation of 8 #2: Won vs. #10 Tommy Bonasera (LIU); MFF
Consolation quarterfinals: Lost vs. #5 Gage Owen (American); 4-1 (SV)
Seventh place: Lost vs. #9 Alex Turley (Hofstra); 9-6 (SV)
#10 Josh Hillard (157 lbs.) – Eighth Place
Round of 16: Lost vs. #7 Cade Wirnsberger (Bucknell); 4-1
Consolation of 8 #2: Won vs. #9 Frank Volpe (Hofstra); 4-1
Consolation quarterfinals: Lost vs. #4 Fin Nadeau (Binghamton); 4-3
Seventh place: Lost vs. #5 Luke Nichter (Drexel); 7-6
#8 Josh Palmucci (165 lbs.)
Round of 16: Won vs. #9 Josh Valentin (LIU); 6-0
Quarterfinals: Lost vs. #1 Max Brignola (Lehigh); 9-2
Consolation of 8 #2: Lost vs. #10 Joshua Greenwood (Morgan State); 10-4
#9 Brandon Carr (174 lbs.)
Round of 16: Lost vs. #8 Richie Grungo (Lehigh); 8-0
Consolation of 8 #2: Lost vs. #7 Cort Vann (Morgan State); 10-4
#1 James Conway (184 lbs.) – Second place
Round of 16: Bye
Quarterfinals: Won vs. #9 Bryce Phillips (Morgan State); F: 2:35
Semifinals: Won vs. #5 Daniel Williams (Navy); 8-0
First place: Lost vs. #3 Caleb Campos (American); 8-5
#8 RJ Moore (197 lbs.) – Eighth Place
Round of 16: Won vs. #9 Chris DeLena (Sacred Heart); 4-2
Quarterfinals: Lost vs. #1 Dillon Bechtold (Bucknell); TF: 4:30 (18-3)
Consolation of 8 #2: Won vs. #10 Kaleb Wright (LIU); TF: 7:00 (16-1)
Consolation quarterfinals: Lost vs. #5 JT Davis (Lehigh); F: 2:25
Seventh place: Lost vs. #6 Ibrahim Ameer (Drexel); TF: 6:38 (18-3)
#9 Brody Kline (285 lbs.)
Round of 16: Lost vs. #8 Chris Powell (LIU); 13-1
Consolation of 8 #2: Lost vs. #7 Logan Shephard (Bucknell); TF: 5:41 (17-2)
