WRESTLING vs. Franklin & Marshall College
WHEN:  Sunday, Feb. 11 | 3:00 p.m.
WHERE:  Recreation Athletic Complex | Fairfax, Va.
COVERAGE:  Live Video ($) | Follow on Twitter @GMUWrestling

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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason wrestling team begins a three-match homestand, hosting Franklin & Marshall on Homecoming Weekend Sunday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Recreation Athletic Complex in Fairfax, Va.
 
Mason (3-11, 0-6 EWL) dropped its final road dual of the season on Tuesday, falling to Navy 43-0 at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Md. 
 
Redshirt senior Ibrahim Bunduka (125), freshman Jose Tapia (141), redshirt junior Tejon Anthony (149), redshirt freshman Eli Spencer (197) and redshirt junior Matthew Voss (285) each dropped a hard-fought decision against the Midshipmen.
 
In the latest NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, Voss is No. 30 at 285 pounds while Bunduka is No. 31 at 125 pounds. 
 
The final rankings will be part of the selection process to determine the qualifiers for the 2018 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships to be held at Quicken Loans Arena March 15-17 in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
Last season, Mason won seven of 10 bouts in a road dual against Franklin & Marshall including a season-high three falls in a dominant 31-11 victory over the Diplomats at Mayser Gym in Lancaster, Pa.
 
Austin Harrison (184) recorded the first pin of his collegiate career with a third period fall, while Sahid Kargbo and Voss also notched pins against the Diplomats.  Bunduka recorded a major decision at 125 pounds while Anthony picked up a decision in sudden victory at 141 pounds.
 
The Patriots have won four of the last five meetings against the Diplomats.  Each team now has 10 wins in the all-time series.
 
The Patriots are back in action on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. when they host American at the Recreation Athletic Complex in Fairfax, Va.
 
MASON PROBABLE STARTERS

125 | No. 31 R-Sr. Ibrahim Bunduka (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) 17-10
133 | So. Trevor Mello (Gainesville, Va./Battlefield) 3-15
141 | Fr. Jose Tapia (Santa Fe, NM/Puyallup) 2-2
149 | R-Jr. Tejon Anthony (Baltimore, Md./Western Tech) 16-11
157 | Fr. Bryce Reddington (Eagleville, Pa.) 9-15
165 | R-So. Garrett Griffith (Sterling, Va./University of Maryland) 0-1
174 | Fr. Levko Higgins (Palmyra, Pa./Palmyra Area) 3-14
184 | R-Jr. Austin Harrison (Baltimore, Md./Western Tech) 3-10
197 | R-Fr.  Eli Spencer (Columbus, Ohio/Stuttgart) 4-12
285 | R-Jr. Matthew Voss (Edgewood, Wash./Puyallup) 18-10
 
SCOUTING FRANKLIN & MARSHALL
 
Franklin & Marshall has a 1-11 dual record, including 0-8 against Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) opponents.  The Diplomats are 0-3 at home, 1-4 on the road and 0-4 in duals held at a neutral site.
 
Last time out, the Diplomats dropped a 23-13 decision to Bucknell on Friday.  Seniors Edgar Garcia (125), Josh Young (174) and Philip Robilotto (197) along with junior Andrew Pelusi recorded victories in the match.
 
Pelusi (18-5), who was a 2016 NCAA Qualifier at 285 pounds, has won 12 of his last 13 matches.  He leads the Diplomats in wins and has posted an 8-1 dual record.  In the NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings, Pelusi is No. 31 at 285 pounds.
 
Freshman Will Gil (18-14) leads the team with six pins this season.
 
Franklin & Marshall notched its lone win of the season, winning seven of 10 bouts in a 25-12 victory at VMI on Dec. 2, 2017.  The Diplomats have dropped their last 10 duals.
 
FRANKLIN & MARSHALL PROBABLE STARTERS

125 | Sr. Edgar Garcia (Lincoln University, Pa./Avon Grove)
133 | R-Jr. Dan Martoccio (Holland, Pa./Council Rock)
141 | R-Fr. Brett Kulp (reading, Pa./Exeter Township)
149 | Fr. Wil Gil (Oakland, N.J./Saint Benedicts Prep)
157 | So. Emmett LiCastri (Easton, Conn./Joel Barlow)
165 | Fr. Dylan Gumaer (Bristow, Va./Brentsville District)
174 | R-Sr. Josh Young (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom)
184 | R-Fr. Steve Mercadante (Sarasota, Fla./Sarasota)
197 | R-Sr. Philip Robilotto (Laytonsville, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel)
285 | No. 31 R-Jr. Antonio Pelusi (Norristown, Pa./La Salle College High School)