Wrestling team defeats F&M for their fifth consecutive Rupp Cup

On Friday, Feb. 20, Millersville wrestling took on Franklin & Marshall in their annual battle for the Rupp Cup.

Franklin & Marshall’s 5-11 record may have made the Marauders look past their dual with the Diplomats to the upcoming NCAA East Region Championships.

It was a close match and was not pretty, but they pulled out the win thanks, in large part, to a pinfall by sophomore Raymond Bennett.

Millersville defeated Franklin & Marshall 23-18 at Pucillo Gymnasium to give them their first winning record in four years.

After losing their first two matches, the Marauders responded with three straight victories by sophomores Mike Greck and J.J. Lester, and junior Jeremy Brooks.

The Diplomats responded with their top wrestler, Justin Herbert, against the Marauders’ top performer, redshirt freshman Shane Smith.

At 174 lb., the two had a close match, but Herbert was victorious in the end.

The Marauders needed a win by Bennett in the last match in order to ensure a victory.

Head Coach Todd Roberts called the match “an amazing battle back and forth.  Bennett looked tired and kept fighting and did not have a lot left.”

Finally, Bennett pinned Colin Ely for the win.

Roberts said that it was a position Bennett was familiar with.

“He has been put in that position the last several weeks,” Roberts said.  “It just happens to be that he goes last.”

Roberts admitted afterwards that he did not think it would be as close as it was with Franklin & Marshall.

“I don’t think we wrestled our best,” Roberts said.  “Going by the way we did wrestle, we were grateful we came out with a win.”

He attributed it to the way they matched up with F & M.

Millersville’s best athletes went up against the Diplomats’ best, and some wrestlers that they usually count on for a win were not able to deliver.

However, winning the Rupp Cup still gave the team confidence that all of the hard work they put in has been worth it.  It was also a measuring stick for the squad.

“It was a mental boost for us more than anything,”?Roberts said.  “To come out with a win was something that was important to keep our spirits up.

Dr. Theodore Rupp attended Friday’s dual. He is the Rupp Cup trophy’s namesake.

Rupp graduated from Franklin & Marshall in 1935 after serving as the school’s coach for several years and a tour of duty in World War II.

He came to Millersville and started their wrestling program in 1946. He compiled a 71-18-2 record over 11 seasons and helped the team to a pair of PSAC Championships
Roberts was excited about the team’s winning record, but it was something that he envisioned.

The whole team had to step up all season with having to forfeit six points every dual because they did not have anyone to qualify for the heavyweight position.

The team also honored their seniors on Friday. John Andel, Josh Evans, John Heleniak and Brent Huffman were all four-year members of the team.

However, none of these athletes were in the starting lineup for Millersville against Franklin & Marshall, which shows how young the team is and the future they have for next year and beyond.

The Marauders are now able to set their sights on the NCAA qualifiers.  They have stepped up their practice routines.

Roberts said they are not practicing more.  Rather, they are practicing harder.

When they get closer to the big day, they will take it easier and rest while preparing themselves mentally and focusing on making weight.

“We’re just trying to fine tune everything so that we are at our peak for Nationals,” Roberts said.

NCAA East Regional Championships will take place on Sunday, March 7 in Boiling Springs, N.C.

Every athlete that qualifies will travel to St. Louis for the NCAA Championships March
19-21.