RICHMOND, Va. – Gardner-Webb dropped a narrow 21-19 decision to Franklin and Marshall College in a dual that came down to the final bout Saturday afternoon at St. Christopher's School in Richmond, Va.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs (2-5) fell behind early, forfeiting matches at 125 and 133 pounds to face an early 12-0 deficit.
 
GWU began its rally at 141 pounds, as Blake Mulkey earned a 19-12 decision over Patrick Quinlan, followed by a tight 5-3 win at 149 pounds by Chase McKinney over Chris Martorello to set the score at 12-6.
 
After dropping the bout at 157 pounds, Gardner-Webb rattled off three consecutive decisions.  Tyler Marinelli blanked Jacob Conners, 10-0, to earn a major decision at 165 pounds, followed by a first period pin by Kyle Homet over Christopher Bolletino at 174 pounds, and Christian Salter earned his first dual win of his career with a 3-2 decision over Reid Robilotto at 184 pounds to give the 'Dogs a 19-15 lead.
 
Franklin and Marshall would take the final two decisions at 197 and 285 pounds to claim the overall dual win.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Sunday, January 20, facing off against Hofstra at 2:30 pm in Lexington, S.C.
 
TEAM SCORES: Franklin and Marshall 21, Gardner-Webb 19
 
125 – Jose Diaz (F&M) won by forfeit
133 – Michael Simonetti (F&M) won by forfeit
141 - Blake Mulkey (GWU) def. Patrick Quinlan (F&M) Dec. 19-12
149 - Chase McKinney (GWU) def. Chris Martorello (F&M) Dec. 5-3
157 - Emmett LiCastri (F&M) def. Evan Schenk (GWU) Dec. 6-0
165 - Tyler Marinelli (GWU) def. Jacob Conners (F&M) MD 10-0
174 - Kyle Homet (GWU) def. Christopher Bolletino (F&M) Fall 2:38
184 - Christian Salter (GWU) def. Reid Robilotto (F&M) Dec. 3-2
197 – Philip Robilotto (F&M) def. JT Trautman (GWU) Dec. 8-2
285 – Antonio Pelusi (F&M) def. Jeffery Linker (GWU) Dec. 4-1