Marauders knocked off by No. 18 Kutztown

Friday, February 6

Millersville, PA

7:00 PM

Millersville University

Kutztown

Marauders knocked off by No. 18 Kutztown

2/6/2026 10:30:00 PM | Wrestling

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By: Aidan Bishop, Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant

MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - In the final PSAC dual of the season, the Millersville Marauders dropped their contest to No. 18 Kutztown, 36–12. Cottone, DeFulvio, and Bennet came out victorious for the Marauders.

Gavin Boland opened the night for Millersville against Kutztown's Nic Allison. Allison secured an early takedown to gain the advantage, while Boland struggled to escape from the bottom position. Boland ultimately fell by pin late in the third period. Colin Higgins looked to shift the early momentum in Millersville's favor. After falling behind early, Higgins clawed back into the match as multiple stalling calls went his way in the second period. However, the momentum stalled when he was turned onto his back and pinned.

Nick Cottone competed at 141 in a relatively quiet bout. The opening period ended scoreless, but Cottone controlled the action in the second period, riding his opponent for the entirety of the frame and positioning himself well for riding-time points. After escaping in the third period, Cottone secured a decision victory to put the Marauders on the board. Kutztown regained momentum at 149 as Ali Alicea faced Millersville's Taylor Robinson. The opening portion of the match was scoreless before Alicea recorded a takedown and quickly turned Robinson onto his back for a pin.

Richie DeFulvio sparked a response for Millersville at 157, opening his match with a takedown and adding another to build a comfortable lead. Kutztown's John Horton battled back, narrowing the margin to one point in the final period. DeFulvio's defense held strong, and a late takedown sealed his decision victory.

Nick Bennet took the mat at 165 and went back and forth with T.Y. Pfizenmayer throughout the first period. Bennet began the second period on top and, just 13 seconds in, rolled Pfizenmayer onto his back for a pin, igniting the crowd inside Pucillo Gymnasium. Bennet's victory brought Millersville within striking distance, trailing 18–12 in the team score.

"Bennet stepped up tonight," said head coach Jerry Boland. "He wrestled through every position, and when he had a chance to get the fall, he capitalized."

Jack Weldon at 174 and Avery Aurand at 184 each faced top 10 ranked opponents in Dalton Gimbor and Cole Casilio. Weldon managed the pressure well against Gimbor, holding his ground for most of the match. A late takedown put Weldon behind, but he continued to battle in an intense third period and nearly secured an upset before falling by decision. Aurand also competed well under heavy pressure from Casilio, but the Kutztown wrestler recorded a takedown and controlled the remainder of the match to earn a decision victory.

"Avery and Jack continue to get better every time they step on the mat," Boland said. "They're facing tough competition and aren't backing down. It was definitely a bright spot to see them building confidence."

At 197, Jaxon Townsend entered his bout riding momentum but faced No. 7 ranked Wayne McIntyre. McIntyre scored an early takedown, but Townsend responded with a reversal to close the gap. McIntyre answered with a reversal of his own and eventually pinned Townsend at the end of the first period.

Kurt Scheuerman closed the dual for Millersville at 285. The sophomore battled early but was taken down and pinned just under the 90 second mark. Millersville fell to Kutztown 36-12, ending their PSAC season with a 1–5 conference record.

The Marauders return to action on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Messiah Open, beginning at 10 a.m. Millersville will then return to Pucillo Gymnasium on Sunday to host Franklin & Marshall for Senior Day at 2 p.m.