Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Wrestling Announces Recruiting Class
4/29/2009 8:00:00 AM | Wrestling
April 29, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Coming off a year where it sent a school-record six wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, the Bucknell wrestling program has announced its recruiting class and will welcome seven new grapplers to the roster in 2009-10. The class consists of student-athletes from four different states, including three from Pennsylvania.
“We are excited about this group of young men joining our program,” said head coach Dan Wirnsberger, who guided the Bison to 11 wins and a third-place finish at the EIWA Championships this past season. “Not only do these student-athletes come with strong credentials on the mat, but they will represent Bucknell well off the mat. They will blend in nicely with our current group of wrestlers as we strive to produce more NCAA All-Americans as well as national champions.”
The incoming freshmen will be joining a program that is coming off a 29th-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Senior-to-be Andy Rendos became the fourth different All-American in program history when he placed fifth in the 165-pound bracket.
Bucknell Wrestling Recruits
Zac Hancock, 141, Laura, Ohio/Troy Christian
Jack Ingram, 141, Cotuit, Mass./Tabor Academy
Corey Lear, 157/165, Orangeville, Pa./Benton Area
Joe McMullan, 197, Easton, Pa./Wyoming Seminary
Darin Rockwell, 184/197, Wyalusing, Pa./Towanda
Derrik Russell, 133, Jackson, N.J./Jackson
Conor Sweeney, Hwt., Gladstone, N.J./Seton Hall Prep
Zac Hancock (Laura, Ohio/Troy Christian) – 141 – Zachary Scott Hancock … born Nov. 29, 1990 in Bradenton, Fla. … son of Scott and Annette Hancock … spent two years in a post-secondary education program at Edison Community College … first person in family to attend college … earned four letters in wrestling and baseball at Troy Christian High School … two-time wrestling state champion … three-time state finalist … four-time state placewinner … named all-area … baseball all-league selection … led league in hits … two-year member of National Honor Society … has two brothers, Jordan and Garrett.
Jack Ingram (Cotuit, Mass./Tabor Academy) – 141 – Jack Cody Ingram … born Aug. 17, 1991 in Hyannis, Mass. … son of James and Barbara Ingram … three-time national prep qualifier … earned Tabor Academy's Bidstrup Wrestling Award twice … All-New England wrestler … wrestling team captain … also competed on cross country and track & field teams … father ran track at Penn State … has one sister, Sage.
Corey Lear (Orangeville, Pa./Benton Area) – 157/165 – Corey William Lear … born April 2, 1990 in Bloomsburg, Pa. … son of Chuck and Stacey Lear … member of wrestling team for four years and football team for three at Benton Area High School … PIAA individual state champion … named to Pennsylvania All-Academic Wrestling First Team … high school's all-time winningest wrestler … NHSCA Senior National All-American … Junior Freestyle National All-American … 154-17 career high school record … 69 pins over final three seasons … participated in Dapper Dan Classic … has two siblings, Nolan and Makayla.
Joe McMullan (Easton, Pa./Wyoming Seminary) – 197 – Joseph John McMullan … born Jan. 24, 1990 in Seacacus, N.J. … son of John and Suzy McMullan … two-time national prep champion, runner-up as a sophomore, third as a freshman … four-time state champion … 2008 Ironman champion … placed third at 2008 Beast of the East and sixth in 2007 … ranked fifth nationally by Amateur Wrestling News … three-time Mount Mat Madness champion … 200-17 career high school record … also a member of football team at Wyoming Seminary.
Darin Rockwell (Wyalusing, Pa./Towanda) – 184/197 – Darin Riley Rockwell … born April 17, 1990 in Sayre, Pa. … son of Gene and Judy Rockwell … earned four letters in wrestling and one in football at Towanda High School … two-time wrestling team captain … four-time first-team all-league selection … three-time member of all-state academic wrestling team … 2007 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association sixth-place finisher … three-time district semifinalist … finished fourth at FILA Cadet Freestyle National … finished seventh at NHSCA Nationals as a sophomore … 153 career high school wins … all-league guard in football … great grandmother, Doris Fiske, played basketball at Ohio State … brother, Derek, was a powerlifter at Penn State.
Derrik Russell (Jackson, N.J./Jackson) – 133 – Derrik Michael Russell … born April 2, 1991 in Toms River, N.J. … son of Susin Russell … four-sport athlete at Jackson Memorial High School … participated in wrestling, cross country, track and soccer … wrestling team captain and MVP … placed fifth, sixth and seventh in NJIAA state tournament … three-time district champion … 114 career wins … helped team to No. 1 state ranking twice … team was a two-time group 4 state champion … has two siblings, Raymond and Cassie.
Conor Sweeney (Gladstone, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) – Hwt. – Conor John Sweeney … born Oct. 29, 1990 in West Orange, N.J. … son of John and Karen Sweeney … Region 3 New Jersey state champion in 2009 … Essex County champion, District X champion and NJSIAA State Quarterfinalist as a senior … Second Team All-Iron Hills Conference as a senior … led team to county championship in 2009 … team set school wins record (20) in 2009 … two-time team captain … fourth-most single-season wins in school history (34) … third-place finish in District X in 2007 and 2008 … finished fifth at 2008 NHSCA National Open … also a member of Seton Hall Prep football team … has three siblings … father played football at Yale (1980-84).
