Bucknell Wrestling Poised for Strong 2019-20 Campaign

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Bucknell Wrestling Poised for Strong 2019-20 Campaign

10/29/2019 12:00:00 PM | Wrestling

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell wrestling team is poised to take another step forward in 2019-20.

The Bison, who return three NCAA qualifiers and four EIWA placewinners, feature a talented cast of battled-tested veterans and hungry newcomers. Head coach Dan Wirnsberger believes that they have the potential to bring some hardware back to Lewisburg from March's EIWA and NCAA Championships.

"We're ready to take that next step," Wirnsberger said. "Everything we do is about getting our best results in March. Whether it's through duals or tournaments, we want to develop guys so they're ready to compete at the EIWA Championships and the NCAA Championships. We need to progress over the course of the season so we get the best possible outcomes in March."

To put his team in position to have success in March, Wirnsberger has assembled another challenging schedule. Highlights of Bucknell's 2019-20 slate include trips to Iowa State, North Carolina and the prestigious Ken Kraft Midlands Championships.

"We're going to be challenged in our competition schedule, and we set it up that way intentionally," Wirnsberger said. "We want our guys to wrestle quality opponents, and we'll certainly do that."

The Bison are set to host their annual intrasquad dual on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. They then travel to Northern Illinois for their season opener on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. Their home opener will come against Bloomsburg on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

"If we can stay healthy and hungry throughout the grind that is a Division I wrestling season, we'll be prepared to bring some hardware back from Bethlehem and Minneapolis," Wirnsberger said. "We want to have team success and individual success, and we're in a position to have both this season."

Below is a weight class by weight class breakdown of the 2019-20 Bison.

125
Returnees: Geo Barzona, Jakob Campbell, Keith Cassar, Brandon Seidman

At 125 pounds, Wirnsberger believes that junior Geo Barzona and sophomore Brandon Seidman have what it takes to be tabbed as the starter.

"This is going to be a very competitive weight class," Wirnsberger said. "Both Geo and Brandon have experience and are capable. Whoever earns the starting spot will have to develop over the course of the year."

Barzona started for the Bison at the past two EIWA Championships, competing at 125 pounds in 2018 before moving up to 133 pounds in 2019 to replace an injured teammate. Seidman wrestled exclusively at tournaments as a freshman, placing as high as third at the Mat-Town Open.

Junior Jakob Campbell is currently out with an injury, and a timetable on his return is unknown. Campbell enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign, going unbeaten in his first seven dual bouts, finishing second among Bison with four major decisions and knocking off the eighth seed in overtime at the EIWA Championships.

133
Returnees: David Campbell, Brett Rezendes
Newcomers: Chris Lanciano, Darren Miller

Wirnsberger believes that 133 pounds will be one of Bucknell's strengths this season. The Bison return two-year starter David Campbell and bring in Darren Miller, the 2019 PIAA AAA State champion at 126 pounds.

"I feel confident with either one of those guys stepping in and being our starter," Wirnsberger said. "It's a very competitive weight class with David and Darren. We also have solid depth behind them, and they'll all push each other in the practice room."

Campbell placed eighth in the 133-pound weight class at the 2018 EIWA Championships but missed the 2019 rendition due to injury. Wirnsberger praised Campbell for "doing everything right," noting that he has a "lifestyle approach to the sport."

"David battles really hard," Wirnsberger said of Campbell's wrestling style. "He's a grinder, and he'll do everything he can to wear you out. He's shown he can be an impact guy at the Division I level."

Wirnsberger is especially excited to have Miller in the program. Miller, who won a school-record 164 bouts at Kiski Area High School, was PA Power Wrestling's No. 54 recruit in Pennsylvania's class of 2019. Before he became the third Cavalier to win a state title in 2019, he finished third in the 106-pound weight class at the 2017 PIAA AAA State Championships.

"Darren is very athletic," Wirnsberger said. "He's a good mat wrestler who can ride guys out. He's also good at getting the leg attack. He can beat you in a lot of different ways. We believe he can be an impact guy at the Division I level, and we're excited to watch him develop over his next four years in our program."

141
Returnees: Joey Gould, Jacob Hubbard, Noah Levett

Wirnsberger believes that sophomore Noah Levett is poised to have a breakout year in 2019-20.

As a freshman, Levett stepped into the starting role at 141 pounds late in the season after Joey Gould was felled by injury. Despite having started the year at 133 pounds, he did a commendable job, picking up bonus points in all three of his victories. Most notably, he scored his first EIWA Championship win by a 21-5 technical fall.

"Noah gained a lot of experience being an undersized 141 pounder last year," Wirnsberger said of Levett, who was a three-time PIAA Class AAA placewinner at Kiski Area High School. "This year, he's an above-average-sized 141 pounder. He fits into that weight class very well, and he's always been extremely talented. The experience he gained last year will benefit him, and he has high goals for himself."

Gould is injured going into his senior year, and a timetable on his return is unknown. When healthy, he has excelled during his time at Bucknell. Most notably, he took fifth in the 141-pound weight class at the 2019 Ken Kraft Midlands Championships and placed eighth in the 133-pound weight class at the 2017 EIWA Championships.

"He's coming back from an injury," Wirnsberger said. "He's such a good kid, and he's working hard to get back for his senior year. It will be great to have him because he's shown he can excel on big stages."

149
Returnees: Frank Houser, Matthew Kolonia, Ty Williams
Newcomers: Jaden Fisher

As at 133 pounds, a returning starter and a talented newcomer will battle for the starting job at 149 pounds. Wirnsberger is excited about junior Matthew Kolonia and freshman Jaden Fisher, noting that "because of how talented they are, it's going to be fun to watch them compete for the starting position."

Kolonia started all but one dual a year ago. He led the Bison with three technical falls and finished fourth on the team with four pins. Wirnsberger praised Kolonia, who is often the first Bison to finish mile runs and sprints, for his relentless work ethic.

"Matthew's very consistent with his attitude and work ethic," Wirnsberger said. "He competes very hard in the practice room, whether we're doing drills, skills or live combat, and when we do any type of conditioning or lifting. Last year, he did a fantastic job as a slightly undersized 149 pounder. He's now grown into that weight class, and we're excited to see him take the next step in his career."

Fisher was a star at Lake Orion High School, winning 166 bouts and placing in the top three at back-to-back MHSAA Championships. Over the course of his junior and senior years, he went a combined 98-8 in high-school duals; at the club level, he was a three-time Michigan Freestyle State champion.

"Jaden has an extremely high ceiling," Wirnsberger said. "We're really excited about him. He's a very competitive young man with a great work ethic. It's just a matter of how quickly he transitions to the Division I level."

157
Returnees: Zach Hartman

It didn't take long for Zach Hartman to make his mark at Bucknell. As a freshman, he rose as high as eighth in the national polls, scored two victories at the NCAA Championships in the final seconds and finished as the EIWA runner-up.

Hartman also took third at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships with a 6-1 record, knocked off five nationally ranked opponents and paced the Bison with nine pins. Ultimately, he fashioned a stellar 28-9 record, going 14-4 in dual action and 10-1 against EIWA opponents.

"Zach had an amazing freshman campaign," Wirnsberger said. "We can go on and on and on about Zach. His bar is set very, very high not just by our coaching staff but by Zach himself. He wants to bring some hardware back from Minneapolis."

Hartman quickly became a fan favorite not only because of his first-year success but because of his aggressive, dynamic wrestling style. He likes to score bonus points for his team and did so 13 times, adding four major decisions to his nine pins.

"Zach is unorthodox, and that makes him dangerous," Wirnsberger said. "He can score in any position. He can be a hard guy to wrestle and to scout. He's always looking to score points. He's always looking to pin guys. From a dual standpoint, you love that, and that's what Zach does. We love having Zach. He's fun to coach, and, from a fan perspective, he's fun to watch."

165
Returnees: Mitch Hartman, Jack Mulay, Joey Schiele
Newcomers: Vincent Andreano

With the loss of three-year starter D.J. Hollingshead to graduation, Wirnsberger said that 165 pounds is a "wide-open weight class."

The Bison have three upperclassmen listed at 165 pounds entering the season: senior Mitch Hartman and juniors Jack Mulay and Joey Schiele. Hartman and Mulay both wrestled at 165 pounds a year ago, mostly in tournaments, while Schiele bounced between 149 and 157 pounds, starting at the lighter weight class four times.

Bucknell also brings in Vincent Andreano, who took fifth in the 160-pound weight class at the 2019 NJSIAA state championship.

"The starting job is up for grabs," Wirnsberger said. "It will go to whoever wants it the most and stays healthy. We have depth there, and all four will contend for the job."

174
Returnees: Jarek Gozdieski, Frankie Guida, Jr.
Newcomers: Sam Barnes, Michael Giallorenzi

At 174 pounds, junior Frankie Guida, Jr. is the frontrunner to win the starting job. A year ago, he seized the position late in the season and competed at his first EIWA Championships. He also finished third among Bison with 16 victories.

"Frankie did a lot of great things for us last year," Wirnsberger said. "We're looking for him to continue his development. He has the potential to do even more for us this year."

Wirnsberger also praised senior Jarek Gozdieski, noting that he's "done a fantastic job with his durability and consistency."

184
Returnees: Kyle Inlander, Brandon Stokes
Newcomers: Nick Florschutz, Mason McCready

Junior Kyle Inlander and senior Brandon Stokes both have the ability to make an impact at 184 pounds. And Wirnsberger would be confident with either in his lineup.

"This is another weight class I feel really confident about," Wirnsberger said. "Everyone, from Kyle and Brandon to our two newcomers, brings energy and effort. They give maximum effort all the time."

Inlander started for Bucknell at 184 pounds a year ago, most notably knocking off the ninth seed in sudden victory at the EIWA Championships.

"Kyle is the frontrunner," Wirnsberger said. "He performed very well last year and had a significant win at the EIWA Championships."

Stokes has bounced around weight classes in his career, competing at 165, 174 and 285 pounds. During his sophomore year, he stepped up for his team; with both Bison heavyweights out with injury, he moved up to that weight class from 174 pounds. He also competed at heavyweight a year ago.

"Brandon is a team guy," Wirnsberger said. "He always puts the team first. For the past year and a half, he filled in when we needed someone at heavyweight. With his frame, it was hard for him to put on the size. But he did it because we needed him to. He's much happier being a little leaner. He had a fantastic preseason, and we think he can make an impact at his more natural weight."

197
Returnees: Nate Feyrer, Drew Phipps
Newcomers: Luke Niemeyer

Drew Phipps is poised to make his senior year his best yet in the Orange and Blue. After qualifying for his first NCAA Championships a season ago, the two-time EIWA placewinner's bar has been set very high.

"Drew had a great off-season and put on a little more weight," Wirnsberger said. "He fits in a little better at 197 pounds now. We have big goals for him, and he has big goals for himself. We're excited to see what he'll do as a senior."

Phipps has won at least 20 bouts each of the past two seasons and enters his senior year with a 60-35 career record. After placing eighth in the 184-pound weight class at the 2018 EIWA Championships, he took sixth in the 197-pound weight class at the 2019 rendition. On the strength of that sixth-place effort, he claimed the EIWA's final automatic berth to the NCAA Championships; there, he upset the 12th seed for his third victory over a nationally ranked opponent of the season.

Phipps also went a team-best 15-3 (10-1 EIWA) in dual action and led the Bison with seven major decisions a year ago. A technical wrestler who has great body control, he is adept at gaining the advantage in all three positions.

"Drew is methodical with how he wrestles," Wirnsberger said. "We try to slow things down for him and put him in better scoring positions. He's definitely tough to wrestle."

Wirnsberger praised junior Nate Feyrer, a former heavyweight, for the work he's done to put himself in position to contribute a weight class down.

"Nate transformed his body in the off-season," Wirnsberger said. "That says a lot about his commitment to the program and his desire to get into the lineup and be a contributor."

285
Returnees: Eric Chakonis, Garrett Hoffman

Wirnsberger believes that junior Eric Chakonis is ready to take the next step in his collegiate career. Chakonis, who has battled injuries the past two seasons, was a two-time New Jersey state champion during his high school days.

"Eric is healthier than he's ever been," Wirnsberger said. "He had a fantastic preseason. He's gaining the confidence he needs to potentially be our starter this year."

Garrett Hoffman is injured going into his senior year, and a timetable on his return is unknown. Hoffman, who is moving up a weight class, made a splash as a freshman, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships in the 184-pound weight class. As a sophomore, he moved up to 197 pounds and was in the midst of a strong year when he was felled by an injury that also kept him out of competition as a junior.

"Garrett is working his way back from injury, and we're excited to get him back," Wirnsberger said. "He's always had the type of frame that, once he filled out by lifting, he could end up anywhere from 184 to 197 to heavyweight. He's at a comfortable weight, and, with his leverage and length, I think heavyweight is a good place for him. He'll be able to use his mobility, movement and leverage to do well at that weight."

Returning NCAA Qualifiers
Zach Hartman: 2019 at 157
Garrett Hoffman: 2017 at 184
Drew Phipps: 2019 at 197

Returning EIWA Placewinners
David Campbell: 2018 (8th at 133)
Joey Gould: 2017 (8th at 133)
Zach Hartman: 2019 (2nd at 157)
Drew Phipps: 2019 (6th at 197), 2018 (8th at 184)

Bison in 2019-20 Preseason Polls
Garrett Hoffman: 17th The Open Mat, 18th FloWrestling
Zach Hartman: 12th Intermat, 13th The Open Mat, 14th FloWrestling
Drew Phipps: 20th The Open Mat