By Gabby Goodwin || Assistant Sports Editor
In a very important rivalry match, the F&M Wrestling team dominated against Millersville University this past Thursday to retain the Rupp Cup for the seventh consecutive year. The Dips clinched a sweeping 31-9 victory against the Marauders, proving themselves to be a strong force with wins in eight of the ten bouts, including three straight wins to open the match.
Annually, F&M and Millersville wrestling face off in the battle for the Rupp Cup in honor of Lancaster County’s wrestling patriarch, Tedd Rupp. An F&M alum and wrestling coach at both schools, Rupp maintained strong ties with both his alma mater and Millersville. Rupp coached from 1948-49 at both institutions and finished with a 20-2 combined record. Rupp is also known as the only coach in collegiate wrestling history to coach two colleges simultaneously. In honor of his distinguished and important service to both institutions, the Rupp Cup is now awarded to the winner of the annual match.
At the opening of the face-off on Thursday night, the Dips took control early on with an 11-0 advantage after the first three bouts were completed.
F&M’s Edgar Garcia started the match off strong for the Dips with a 5-1 decision at 125 pounds. Shortly following, F&M’s Dan Martoccio followed suit with a dominant 18-4 major at 133 pounds to put the Diplomats in the lead 7-0.
F&M’s Paddy Quinlan stretched the Dip’s domineering advantage to 11-0 at 141 pounds with an 18-6 major decision. Determined to get back in the match, Millersville fought back hard with two back-to-back wins. With a pin at 157 pounds, the Marauders cut the Dips’ lead to 11-9 heading into the 165-pound match.
Diplomat Senior captain, Robbie King, quickly put an end to Millersville’s momentum however, with a 16-0 technical fall, securing a Dip match win in the first period. F&M’s Jimmy Stillerman broke the 2-2 tie in the final seconds of the second period at 174 to secure a victory of his own.
F&M’s Anthony Mancini entered the third period ahead 9-1 at 184 pounds and closed the bout at 6:45 remaining with a 19-1 technical fall.
Lastly, Jack Argast of the Diplomats secured the first dual win of his career at 285 pounds, earning F&M’s fifth straight win in the match and giving spectators a thriller in the night’s final bout.
With just seconds on the clock in the third, Argast recorded a takedown to force a sudden victory period and within ten seconds of the beginning of the overtime frame, Argast worked his way around the back of Millersville’s Zachary Yaskenchick to secure the takedown and put the finishing touches on the Diplomat’s victory.
F&M Wrestling will have their next match on Sunday, February 26, at the National Collegiate Open in Dover, Delaware. Come out and show your support, as the team will attempt to finish off their season riding this recent wave of positive momentum.
First-year Gabby Goodwin is the Assistant Sports Editor. Her email is ggoodwin@fandm.edu.