Diplomats Halt 23-Match Skid

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Franklin & Marshall’s wrestlers posted the first victory of the Mike Rogers era with a 35-20 win at Sacred Heart on Sunday. The victory ended F&M’s winless-streak that spanned 23 matches dating back to a February 12, 2009 win over Gettysburg. F&M tied one opponent, Gardner-Webb, during that stretch.

The Diplomats (1-9) benefitted from a pair of pins out of Jake Bucha (25-4) and Matt Latessa (3-14), while Matt Fullowan (20-11) gave F&M five points via technical fall.

Buhca’s first period pin of the Pioneers (1-15) Andrew Polidore was his second in as many dual meets and his sixth of the season. His 25th victory of the year ties him for 11th in wins in a season. It also moved him within three wins of the 75th of his career, which would tie him with Greg Knox ’98 for eighth in all-time wins at the College. Fullowan’s win gives the junior the first 20-win season of his career, while Latessa’s pin was the second of his career.

With nine wrestlers in the lineup, the Diplomats split the six bouts wrestled. Aaron Velasquez (3-12) and Andrew Murano (4-13) collected respective forfeits at 141 and 149, while Colin Ely (14-3) took the forfeit at 197.

The Diplomats are now 4-2 in matches against Sacred Heart. F&M returns to action Wednesday night for the 67th renewal of the rivalry with Gettysburg.

Franklin & Marshall 35, Sacred Heart 20
125 – Billy Chamberlain (SHU) by forfeit
133 – Jake Bucha (F&M) pinned Andrew Polidore, 2:19
141 – Aaron Velasquez (F&M) by forfeit
149 – Andrew Murano (F&M) by forfeit
157 – Anthony Priore (SHU) maj. dec. Eric Norgard, 8-0
165 – Jonathan Rizzitello (SHU) maj. dec. Anthony Bongarzone, 13-5
174 – Matt Fullowan (F&M) tech. fall. Zachary Moran, 17-2 (6:29)
184 – Matt Latessa (F&M) pinned Sam Morrison, 3:43
197 – Colin Ely (FM) by forfeit
285 – Paul Schweighardt (SHU) pinned Dan Canfield, 5:38

Courtesy of Franklin & Marshall Sports Information