Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational
Bucknell Wrestling Set to Compete at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational
12/1/2022 4:43:00 PM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – For the first time since 2017, the Bucknell wresting team is set to compete at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, N.V. on Friday and Saturday. 33 teams from around the country will be in attendance at the two-day event. The action is scheduled to get underway at 12 p.m. EST, and a full schedule can be viewed on the Cliff Keen Invitational website.
10 teams ranked in the most recent NWCA Coaches Poll are set to attend the Cliff Keen Invitational, five of which are ranked in the top 10.
2022 Cliff Keen Invitational
When: Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center – Las Vegas, N.V.
Tournament Central: CKLVWrestle.com
Online Video: FloWrestling ($)
Live Results: FloArena
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST
Participating Teams: Air Force, Appalachian State, #4 Arizona State, Bucknell, California Baptist, #23 Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, Clarion, The Citadel, Columbia, #12 Cornell, Edinboro, Harvard, Hofstra, Kent State, LIU, #5 Michigan, Navy, Nebraska Kearney, #16 Nebraska, #8 NC State, #14 Northwestern, #3 Ohio State, Ohio, Oregon State, Purdue, Sacred Heart, #25 South Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Utah Valley, #10 Virginia Tech, Western Wyoming, Wyoming
Bison Projected to Attend
133: HM Kurt Phipps
141: No. 18/20 Darren Miller
149: Kolby DePron
157: Nick Delp
165: Chase Barlow
174: Sam Barnes
184: Logan Deacetis
197: Nolan Springer
285: Luke Niemeyer
Note: rankings are FloWrestling/Intermat
A Look Back at the Last Events
• Bucknell posted nine placewinners at the Navy Classic on Nov. 19, and the team finished eighth overall out of 12 teams. Darren Miller (141) finished as a runner-up at the invitational, and he was joined by Kurt Phipps (3rd, 133), Dylan Chappell (4th, 141), Logan Deacetis (5th, 184), Nolan Springer (5th, 197), Mason McCready (6th, 197), Mikey Bartush (7th, 197), Sam Barnes (8th, 174) and Chase Barlow (8th, 165).
• Miller registered a major decision over Lock Haven's Tyler Dilley and later added a 5-3 decision over Navy's Joshua Koderhandt in the semifinals before eventually falling to Nebraska's Brock Hardy in the championship. The senior moved to 5-1 on the season.
• As a team, bucknell posted three major decisions, two technical falls and five pins at the Navy Classic.
• Several Bison wrestled unattached at the Mat Town Open at Loch Haven last weekend. Braden Bower (3rd, 141), Viencent Andreano (3rd, 184), Mikey Bartush (3rd, 197) Logan Shephard (1st, 285) and Dorian Crosby (2nd, 285) were all placewinners.
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell is 0-1 (0-0 EIWA) in dual meets after falling 30-6 to 11th-ranked Oklahoma State at Sojka Pavilion on Nov. 12.
• Both Darren Miller and Kurt Phipps enter the weekend with spots on the FloWrestling and InterMat national rankings. The Bison have had as many as three nationally ranked wrestlers this season.
• Miller was named EIWA Wrestler of the Week on Monday, Nov. 14 following his performance in the Oklahoma State dual. Miller upset the Cowboys' 10th-ranked Carter Young in Bucknell's season-opening dual.
• The Bison are coming off a 12-6 (7-3 EIWA) 2021-22 season. Bucknell placed four on the podium at the 2022 EIWA Championships, two of which (Miller, Delp) returned for the 2022-23 season. Bucknell has six returning EIWA placewinners overall, and Miller is the team's lone returning NCAA qualifier, earning an automatic bid at 133 pounds in 2021.
• Bucknell welcomed nine newcomers to the team this season after losing six to graduation in the spring.
• Head coach Dan Wirnsberger is in his 18th season at the helm of the Bucknell wrestling program. He's scored 142 career victories, good for second in school history; he was also tabbed as the 2015 EIWA Coach of the Year after the Bison placed third at the EIWA Championships and qualified four wrestlers for the NCAA Championships.
Bison Ranked
• Darren Miller came in at No. 18 in the FloWrestling rankings and No. 20 by InterMat. Kurt Phipps was also an honorable mention in the FloWrestling rankings.
A Look Ahead
• The Bison return to dual action on Friday, Dec. 16 with a visit to Sacred Heart following the final exam break.
