LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall wrestling team retained the Rupp Cup with a 25-15 win against local foe Millersville on Sunday afternoon. Since the Rupp Cup between an annual tradition between the two Lancaster County programs prior to the 2008-09 season, F&M now owns a 12-5 lead in the series following its fifth straight victory. Sunday's match was also Senior Day for Noah Bash, Avery Clarke, and Makoa Niebel who were recognized in a pre-match ceremony.
The host Diplomats got the dual off to a quick start at 141 lbs. where Bryce Kresho picked up his ninth pin of the year in addition to his Division I-leading 32nd individual victory. He needed just 1:15 to pin his opponent in what was the first of three bonus point victories during the first four matches for Franklin & Marshall. Millersville got its first win during the next bout as Josh Hillard and MU's Daniel Sinclair were tied at three-all heading to the third period before a 7-3 win for the Marauder.
Franklin & Marshall jumped in front for good with a pair of technical falls at 157 lbs. and 165 lbs. Luke Bender was up 3-0 in his bout at 157 lbs. before collecting 15 near fall points in the second period of his 18-1 technical fall in 4:17. Josh Palmucci followed a similar pattern to secure an identical 18-1 technical fall in 4:46 during the next bout. Palmucci had a 9-1 lead after three minutes before adding a reversal and seven near fall points to end that match early. F&M went up 19-3 when Nick Alvarez secured a third period takedown for a 7-1 decision at 174 lbs.
Millersville made its run to get back in the dual with three consecutive victories from 184 lbs. through 285 lbs. The Marauders claimed a pair of come-from-behind decisions to swing some of the momentum back in their favor. The visitors scored six of their points in a 9-7 decision at 184 lbs. during the third period before a third period takedown proved to be the difference in an 8-6 decision at 197 lbs. The dual meet was still hanging in the balance with two matches to go as Millersville got a first period fall of its own in 1:07 to make the score 19-15 with two bouts remaining.
Jack Parker ended any further thoughts of a comeback as he used three takedowns to claim a 12-9 decision at 125 lbs. which guaranteed that the Rupp Cup was staying with the Diplomats for another year. Mason Leiphart closed the official dual as a reversal in the second period paved the way to his 3-0 victory. F&M capped its afternoon by further celebrating Senior Day as Niebel wrestled an exhibition bout at 165 lbs. and went feet to back for six points during the third period of his 7-6 decision.
Franklin & Marshall closed the dual meet portion of its schedule on Sunday, finishing the year with three wins against Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Sacred Heart, and today's victory against Millersville. The Diplomats will wrap up the regular season portion of their schedule next Sunday, February 23 with the second annual F&M Invitational which is slated for a 12 p.m. start in the Mayser Center.
Franklin & Marshall 25, Millersville 15
141: Bryce Kresho (F&M) WBF Taylor Robinson (MILL); 1:15 (F&M 6-0)
149: Daniel Sinclair (MILL) dec. Josh Hillard (F&M); 7-3 (F&M 6-3)
157: Luke Bender (F&M) TF Marcus Gable (MILL); 4:17 (18-1) (F&M 11-3)
165: Josh Palmucci (F&M) TF Chase Bish (MILL); 4:46 (18-1) (F&M 16-3)
174: Nick Alvarez (F&M) dec. Andrew Vogelbacher (MILL); 7-1 (F&M 19-3)
184: Cole Dubois (MILL) dec. Noah Bash (F&M); 9-7 (F&M 19-6)
197: Bruce Vaughan (MILL) dec. RJ Moore (F&M); 8-6 (F&M 19-9)
285: Bishop McCoy (MILL) WBF Quincy Long (F&M); 1:07 (F&M 19-15)
125: Jack Parker (F&M) dec. Bryce Beatty (MILL); 12-9 (F&M 22-15)
133: Mason Leiphart (F&M) dec. Cael Rossi (MILL); 3-0 (F&M 25-15)
165 (EXH): Makoa Niebel (F&M) dec. Chase Bish (MILL); 7-6
