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Lycoming wins 800th dual meet, splits first day of Budd Whitehill National Duals

By Evan Wheaton 4 min read

As if it needed any more assurance by the time the heavyweights stepped on the mat, Lycoming College's John Fulmer -- ranked No. 12 in the nation -- punctuated a milestone that was already guaranteed by that point.

Having lost only one weight class against Southern Virginia, Fulmer ended the dual between the two by posting an 8-0 major, sealing Lycoming's 800th dual win in program history at Lamade Gym Friday.

The Warriors defeated the Knights, 41-3, in the opening round of the 33rd annual Budd Whitehill National Duals in Williamsport.

"To be honest, this team isn't anywhere near being one of the better teams in the country, but we're scrappy and we really care about each other," Fulmer said. "Honestly, that's the best thing you can ask for a team. Just having kids who'll go out there and fight for each other, they don't want to give up bonus points. They fight at the end of the match to get that bonus-point win at team meets."

The bonus points came aplenty in the opening round through four weight classes. Lycoming had a pair of technical falls to bolster its team score, the first coming at 125 via Garrett Lee over Jaden Nelson at 125 to start the day. Hunter O`Connor added one against Weston Hirschi at 157.

Montoursville grad Gable Crebs -- ranked No. 4 in the Southeast -- pinned Cache Holmes in 1:02 at 197 to balloon the Warriors' lead. Thomas Conselya added a 5-4 decision over Harper Thompson. The Knights forfeited four rounds, but for the weights that were wrestled, Lycoming came up with bonus points to push away early and often.

"Really, that's just the best thing about it," Fulmer said. "We just go out there and fight for each other."

Southern Virginia's lone win came from 149-pounder Eli Blackwell over Logan Bartlett in an 8-1 decision. The Warriors received forfeits at 141, 165 and 174, while both schools took one at 184.

Against Ithaca College, Lycoming received its first loss of the season. Now 7-1 after splitting the first day of the Budd Whitehill National Duals, the Warriors became the fifth Division III program to reach 800 wins, joining Olivet (814), Wartburg (851), Wilkes (896) and Springfield College (1,049).

"It's something the kids are proud of," Lycoming coach Roger Crebs said.

ITHACA 38, LYCOMING 12

The Bombers bombarded the Warriors in the following round, letting up just one loss while forfeiting another. Chase Chapman took a fall at 5:32 over Ithaca's Travis Jones at 141, while Fulmer won via forfeit at heavyweight.

The Warriors moved Wiley Kahler (149) up from the forfeited 141 round, though Matthew Beyer won in a fall at 2:49. Matthew Griffin also won via fall, pinning Lee in 47 seconds at 125 to kick off the dual.

"We wrestled real well. Having to go back-to-back right away kinda hurt us a little bit. We substituted at 149 with a 141-pounder. COVID kinda hit us over break when guys were home," Roger Crebs said. "Basically we're missing about 10 guys right now who are out of everything because of injuries (too). We have three guys out with injury and kids got sick at home, we didn't bring em back."

Lycoming forfeited back-to-back rounds at 174 and 184. Jackson Gray (165) and Jordan Wallace (197) both majored against Preston Rogers and Gable Crebs respectively. Luis Hernandez took a 9-4 decision over Conselyea and Adam Wagner won 4-1 against O’Connor.

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