Diplomats spoil Senior Day for Sacred Heart

Danbury native Shaun Williams (165) competes in Sunday’s match against Franklin and Marshall at the Pitt Center in Fairfield. (Photo courtesy Kristen Bilek Jarosz)

FAIRFIELD, Jan. 30, 2022 – Visiting Franklin and Marshall won five of the first six matches to earn a 28-13 win over Sacred Heart in Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) action Sunday at the Pitt Center.

In the final dual meet of the season at home, the Pioneers recognized 14 seniors for their service to the growth of the program.

Sacred Heart’s Nick Palumbo (157) remained undefeated in dual meets this season with a pin of Christiaan Dailey in 5:37. Palumbo improved to 6-2 on the season and 6-0 in dual meets.

Chris Naegele (141) earned a victory in his first dual meet for the Pioneers with a 13-3 win over Franklin and Marshall’s Nick Tewell. Newtown’s Joe Accousti, wrestling up a weight class at 197, picked up his first dual meet win the season with a 5-1 win over F&M’s Mike Waszem.

Sacred Heart’s Robert Hetherman (184) and a 6-0 lead in his match with James Conway before getting hurt and having to forfeit due to injury. Conway escaped and had a takedown before the match ended due to injury. Danbury’s Shaun Williams (165) competed in his first match of the spring semester and dropped a 8-1 decision to F&M’s Chase McCullom. Williams is 2-7 on the year and 0-3 in dual meets.

The Diplomats (6-1, 2-0 EIWA) took an early 10-0 lead after two matches before Accousti’s win at 197 cut the lead to seven, 10-3. But Franklin & Marshall won the next three matches for a commanding 22-3 advantage with four matches remaining.

Franklin & Marshall’s Will Fell got a takedown in the third period for a 5-3 victory over Raf Lievano that clinched the win for the Diplomats.

The Pioneers (1-5, 0-4 EIWA) return to action on Sunday, Feb. 6 when they visit Bloomsburg.

Franklin and Marshall 28, Sacred Heart 13
At Fairfield
174: John Crawford (FM) dec. Ryan Bolletino, 11-3
184: James Conway (FM) win by injury default over Robert Hetherman
197: Joe Accousti (SH) dec. Mike Waszen, 5-1
285: Cenzo Pelusi (FM) dec. Nick Copley, 12-3
125: Gio Diaz (FM) dec. Jacob Venezia, 7-1
133: Pat Phillips (FM) tech fall Cole Meyer, 18-0
141: Chris Naegels (SH) dec. Nick Tewell, 13-3
149: Will Fill (FM) dec. Raf Lievano, 5-3
157: Nick Palumbo (SH) pin Christiaan Dailey, 5:37
165: Chase McCullom (FM) dec. Shaun Williams 8-1
Records: Sacred Heart 1-5, 0-4 EIWA; Franklin and Marshall 6-1, 2-0 EIWA