Shippensburg wrestling triumphed in a close battle with Felician University on Wednesday evening at home, winning 26-23. The team’s overall record moves to 6-10. 

It was an electric night in Heiges Field House as this was only the second dual meet held at home this season. This is the start of a home stint before the team heads to the NCAA Regional Tournament in a few weeks. 

There were six wins on the night for the Raiders at the weights of 125, 141, 149, 165 and 184. 

Freshman Colin Marano at 125 earned a decisive win over his opponent, Marcus Lowry. The two wrestlers exchanged a series of takedowns, but Marano was victorious with an 11-8 decision. 

Redshirt freshman Cole Coffin earned a forfeit win since Felician had no wrestler able to compete at the weight of 141 pounds. 

One of the most exhilarating matches of the night was from redshirt junior Mike Trainor, who earned a pin against Felician’s Giovanni Scafidi. Only a minute into the first period, Trainor positioned a hold on his opponent and lifted him from the air to the mat to place him in the perfect position for a solid fall. 

After the match, Trainor said, “Coming into the day, the team knew if we wrestled the way we know how to, we come in with a mindset that we know what we’re doing and if we trust our preparation, then we can come away with victories.” 

Graduate Nick Delp added another win to his impressive undefeated record of 16-0 this season. 

Delp’s match was nothing short of a battle, with the first two periods being scoreless for both wrestlers. After a helpful penalty point on Felician’s wrestler, Delp earned a takedown with 15 seconds left to sweeten a 4-0 decision. 

At 184, Cole Lang faced another tough battle against Felician’s Riley Boos. His decisive second-period takedown landed him a 4-2 decision win.

“It was such a battle, I got two bruises on my eyes, it truly came down to the wire. I’m very proud of how my teammates pushed me toward the end. I heard everyone screaming and cheering me on,” said Lang.

The last win of the night that solidified the Raiders’ win came from Diesel Koser at 197 pounds.  

Koser dominated his match by earning 14 points in the first period and an escape in the second for an impressive 15-0 tech fall. 

Head coach Seth Bloomquist said that the back-to-back matches are purposeful to prepare the team for the NCAA Regional Tournament. He says the key is to “practice, practice, practice.” 

The Raiders will finish out the regular season next weekend with a match against Kutztown on Friday and a match against Elizabethtown on Saturday. Both matches will be at Heiges Field House, and Saturday’s matchup will honor the team’s senior class.

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