In its first dual match of the 2012-13 season, the F&M
wrestling team appeased a raucous home crowd with a 20-16 victory over Virginia
Military Institute (V.M.I.).
After losing to V.M.I. over the last three seasons, including
a loss by a margin of just one point last year, F&M had its revenge on the
Keydets, propelled by a strong showing from a troop of underclassmen.
In the first match of his collegiate career, freshman Aaron
Moldoff pinned his opponent in the 125-pound weight class, giving the Diplomats
the 6-0 lead. Fellow freshman Rob King also had an impressive showing, capturing
an F&M victory in the 157-pound slot with a major decision over VMI’s
Edward Gottwald.
Sophomore Robert Ruiz emerged victorious at 133, followed by
a pivotal 10-2 major decision; compliments of Richard Durso. Junior Andrew
Murano came through with a win for F&M at 149, giving the Diplomats a
commanding 16-0 lead.
F&M assistant coach Matt Greenberg was pleased with the
team’s performance, and is expecting big things this year from all of his
wrestlers.
Going into the match, Greenberg and head coach Mike Rogers were
optimistic, until starting 184-pounder Paul Alessandrini was sidelined with an
injury, leaving an apparent vacancy in the Diplomats’ starting line.
“We came back and really wanted to stick it to them,”
Greenberg said. “We knew it was going to come down to performing out there when
we had to. For us right now, beating guys who had previously beaten us is a
good thing—it shows that we’re improving, and that as coaches we’re doing the
right things on the mat as far as getting guys ready to compete.”
Greenberg was particularly pleased with the performances of
the freshman, specifically the two victors Aaron Moldoff and Rob King.
“We knew every point was going to be critical, and he [King]
stepped it up big time and got a major decision for us, which in dual meets can
be the difference between winning and losing it.”
As V.M.I. paid a visit to Lancaster, the Diplomats performed
in front of what Greenberg declares the most attended match in four years.
In addition to working on improving the skills of the
wrestlers, Greenberg has invested a great deal into promulgating the excitement
that accompanies Franklin & Marshall’s only
NCAA Division I athletics program.
“It was an amazing sight,” said Greeenberg. “I’ve never seen
the gym that full in four years, and I think that really helped, and as coaches
it helps us know that we’re doing a good job in putting something out there
that people want to see.”
Murano was also grateful for the packed bleachers, and was thrilled
for the opportunity to perform in front of family, students, teachers, and
administrators. The junior attributes a great deal of credit to the fans, and believes
that F&M’s potential is limitless.
“Everyone
showed that they could fight, and we really showed the crowd that F&M
wrestling is no joke,” Murano said. “Never before have I seen such a strong
showing, and it really gives us momentum as a team. I hope we can expect a large
showing like that for every home dual meet.”
As Murano and the rest of the team look forward to what the
rest of the season holds in store, one thing is unmistakable—F&M wrestling
has come a long way from where it was a few years ago, and this positive trend
the team has demonstrated comes as a result of improved coaching and recruiting
methods.
“This was the first time as a team that we have beaten V.M.I. in my time here at F&M, which really gives me hard proof that we are making
major strides as a program under the tutelage of Coach Rogers.”
Though early in the season, expectations are already running
high for the team. Coach Greenberg has reverted to a reliable and simplistic approach,
which he hopes will guide the team in a steady upward trend to its apex at the
E.I.W.A Championships.
“We’re going to put the best 10 guys out on the mat,”
Greenberg said. “One of the things we have this year that we haven’t had in
past years is depth. They [the team] just need to do what they know how to do,
and fix the mistakes we’ve made in the past. “That’s all we’re really looking
for; to improve every time we step on the mat and not make mistakes we’ve made
before. These are just tests along the way—the final exam is at E.I.W.A.’s.
F&M has a trio of road matches this weekend beginning
with Brown University on Saturday Dec. 8, followed by Boston University and
concluding on Sunday with Sacred Heart.
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