Bucknell Wrestling Competes at EIWA Championships

2022 EIWA Championships
When: Saturday, March 5 to Sunday, March 6
Where: Newman Arena at Bartels Hall – Ithaca, N.Y.
Participating Teams: American, Army West Point, Binghamton, Brown, Bucknell, Columbia, #10 Cornell, Drexel, Franklin & Marshall, Harvard, Hofstra, Lehigh, LIU, Navy, #18 Penn, #22 Princeton, Sacred Heart
Event Website: EIWAWrestling.org
Live Results: FloArena
Online Video: FloWrestling ($)
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST
Media Notes: BucknellBison.com

Projected Bucknell Lineup
125: Brandon Seidman (16-12)
133: #32 Kurt Phipps (19-9)
141: #28 Darren Miller (13-3)
149: Kolby DePron (22-11)
157: Nick Delp (13-11)
165: #10 Zach Hartman (23-3)
174: Sam Barnes (7-16)
184: Logan Deacetis (16-15)
197: Mason McCready (14-13)
285: Luke Niemeyer (9-11)
Rankings Intermat (Note: In 2021-22, Intermat extended its rankings to 33 from 20)

About the EIWA Championships
• The Bucknell wrestling team is set to compete at the 118th EIWA Championships this Saturday and Sunday at Cornell's Newman Arena at Bartels Hall.
• The field includes 17 teams, including three ranked in the regular season's final National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Coaches Poll: No. 10 Cornell, No. 18 Penn and No. 22 Princeton. Defending champion Lehigh also received votes in that poll.
• In 2021, only 10 of the 17 member teams participated due to the Ivy League and Centennial Conference's cancellation of all winter sports. The Mountain Hawks ran their EIWA title run to four at that season's championships, which were held over a single day at the Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Manheim, Pa.
• Only seven current EIWA members have captured the team title: Lehigh (38), Cornell (25), Navy (13), Penn (4), Princeton (3), Army West Point (1) and Harvard (1). In 2018, the Mountain Hawks snapped Cornell's title run at 11.

Tournament Schedule
Saturday, March 5
   • 11 a.m. – Preliminary Rounds
   • 11:20 a.m. – Round of 16 & Consolation First Round
   • 4 p.m. – Quarterfinals & Consolation Second Round
   • 6:30 p.m. – Consolation Third Round

Sunday, March 6
   • 10 a.m. – Semifinals & Quarterfinal Consolations
   • 12 p.m. – Semifinal Consolations
   • 2:45 p.m. – Hall of Fame Presentation
   • 3 p.m. – 1st-, 3rd-, 5th- & 7th-Place matches
   • 5:30 p.m. – Team and Special Awards

NCAA Qualifiers from the EIWA Championships
• The EIWA will have 42 automatic qualifiers for the 2022 NCAA Championships, ranking behind only the Big Ten (88) and Big 12 (58).
• With seven, the EIWA was tied for first with the Big Ten in automatic qualifiers from the 165-pound weight class. The EIWA was third to the Big Ten and Big 12 in automatic qualifiers from the 125-, 141-, 157-, 174-, 197- and 285-pound weight classes.
• At the 2021 EIWA Championships, Zach Hartman (165) and Darren Miller (133) earned automatic berths; it was Hartman's third-straight NCAA berth and Miller's first career.
• Since the Bucknell wrestling program was reinstated ahead of the 2006-07 season thanks in large part to a generous donation from Bill Graham '62, 20 different wrestlers have combined to earn 45 NCAA berths and five All-America certificates.
• Since the program was revived, four Bison have qualified for four NCAA Championships: David Marble (133, 2007-10), Andy Rendos (165, 2007-10), Joe Stolfi (285, 2013-16) and current volunteer assistant coach Tyler Smith (141, 2015-18). Hartman, the defending EIWA champion at 165 pounds, has a chance to join this elite group by qualifying for the 2022 NCAA Championships.

EIWA Allotments
125: 4    165: 7
133: 2    174: 4
141: 4    184: 3
149: 4    197: 5
157: 5    285: 4
Total: 42

Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell was twice ranked in the NWCA Division I Mid-Major Wrestling Coaches Poll, checking in at 19th in its first edition and 20th in its second rendition.
• The Bison went 12-6 (7-3 EIWA) during 2021-22 dual action, reaching the double digits in dual victories for the second time in three seasons.
• By starting 10-2, the 2021-22 Bucknell team matched the 1992-93 squad for the best start in program history.
• Last season, the Bison placed a wrestler on the EIWA podium at all 10 weight classes and qualified two for the NCAA Championships.
• Bucknell returned two-time All-American Zach Hartman, who is also the defending EIWA champion at 165 pounds.
• Hartman's sixth-place showing at the 2021 NCAA Championships was the third-highest finish by a Bison. He also became Bucknell's second NCAA semifinalist.
• Hartman is the Bison's fourth EIWA champion. He also twice finished as the EIWA runner-up; in 2019, he became the first Bucknell freshman to take second at the EIWA's premier event.
• In 2020-21, Hartman became the first Bison to be voted as the EIWA Wrestler of the Year by the conference's head coaches and the second to earn the EIWA Coaches' Trophy as the EIWA Championships' Outstanding Wrestler.
• Bucknell also returned Darren Miller, a 2021 NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds. Miller went 4-1 at the 2021 EIWA Championships, battling back through the consolation bracket with four-straight victories to secure the EIWA's final automatic bid.
• The Bison went 0-3 (0-1 EIWA) in duals and finished sixth at the EIWA Championships during their abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.
• Bucknell posted a 10-6 (9-3 EIWA) record in 2019-20 dual action. The Bison reached the double digits in dual victories for the first time since 2016-17; their total of EIWA victories also matched their 2016-17 figure.
• Bucknell's eight returning EIWA placewinners are Hartman (2021, 2020 & 2019), Jaden Fisher (2021 & 2020), Vincent Andreano (2021), Dorian Crosby (2021), Mason McCready (2021), Miller (2021), Kurt Phipps (2021) and Brandon Seidman (2021).
• Hartman, Miller and Seidman are serving as captains in 2021-22. Hartman is in his third season as a captain.
• The Bison's group of 11 newcomers includes four state champions, eight state placewinners and nine team captains. The freshmen hail from five different states: Pennsylvania (6), Massachusetts (2), Illinois, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
• Head coach Dan Wirnsberger is in his 17th season at the helm of the Bucknell wrestling program. He has 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.
• Wirnsberger and Bob Ferraro, who led Bucknell to a 169-175-6 record from 1974 to 1997, are the program's only head coaches to reach the 100-win plateau.

Bison in the NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings
• Zach Hartman (165): 14th (1st of 4), 17th (2nd of 4), 12th (3rd of 4)

Bison in the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index
• Brandon Seidman (125): 26th (1st of 3), 32nd (2nd of 3)
• Darren Miller (141): 25th (2nd of 3)
• Kolby DePron (149): 26th (1st of 3)
• Zach Hartman (165): 14th (1st of 3), 11th (2nd of 3)

Bison Category Leaders
• Wins: Zach Hartman (23)
• Dual Wins: Zach Hartman (15)
• EIWA Dual Wins: Kurt Phipps (9)
• Pins: Zach Hartman (7)
• Technical Falls: Zach Hartman (3)
• Major Decisions: Darren Miller and Kurt Phipps (6)

Bucknell's EIWA Championships History
• Bucknell joined the EIWA in 1999-2000 and has wrestled at the league's championships 18 times.
• The Bison have finished as high as third in the team standings. They tied Penn for that spot in 2009 and claimed sole possession of it in 2015 and 2016.
• In 2021, Zach Hartman (165) joined Andy Rendos (165, 2010), current assistant coach Kevin LeValley (149, 2011) and Joe Stolfi (285, 2014) as Bucknell's EIWA champions. He became the second Bison to earn the EIWA Coaches' Trophy as the EIWA Championships' Outstanding Wrestler, joining LeValley.
• Hartman, who became Bucknell's first freshman to finish as an EIWA runner-up in 2018, is also one of two Bison to twice finish second at the EIWA Championships; Stolfi previously accomplished the feat in 2015 and 2016.
• Since the wrestling team was reinstated ahead of the 2006-07 campaign, 42 Bison have combined to place on the EIWA podium 75 times.

Bucknell at the 2021 EIWA Championships
• In 2021, Zach Hartman became Bucknell's fourth EIWA champion.
• Hartman, who went 3-0 en route to winning the 165-pound title, was one of two Bison to earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Championships. Darren Miller took third in the 133-pound weight class with a 4-1 record to punch his first ever ticket to the NCAA's premier event.
• Hartman became the second Bison to earn the EIWA Coaches' Trophy as the EIWA Championships' Outstanding Wrestler, joining current assistant coach Kevin LeValley.
• Hartman and Miller were joined on the EIWA podium by all eight of their teammates who also made the trip to Manheim, Pa.: Matthew Kolonia (5th at 149), Brandon Seidman (6th at 125), Jaden Fisher (6th at 157), Vincent Andreano (6th at 174), Kurt Phipps (7th at 141), Mason McCready (7th at 197), Dorian Crosby (7th at 285) and Frankie Guida, Jr. (8th at 184).
• As a team, Bucknell finished sixth of the 10 participating teams with 84.5 points.
• This was the first time the EIWA's championship event was not held at a member campus site. It was also the first one-day EIWA Championships since 1909.
• Only 10 of the conference's 17 teams were in attendance due to the Ivy League and Centennial Conference's cancellation of all winter sports.

Bison Starting Lineups
• This season, senior Brandon Seidman (125), sophomore Kurt Phipps (133), sophomore Nick Delp (157) and junior Mason McCready (197) started all 18 of Bucknell's duals.
• Freshman Logan Deacetis (184) and junior Luke Niemeyer (285) each started all but one dual. Freshman Kolby DePron (149) and senior Zach Hartman (165) missed just two starts apiece.
• DePron and Deacetis were among five first-time starters this season, joining sophomore Matt Kidwell (165) and fellow freshmen Nolan Springer (174) and Max Harar (285).
• A total of 16 different Bison started in 2021-22, a group that includes three seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and four freshmen. At least three different starters took the mat at only 141 (3) and 174 (3) pounds.
• The Bison only competed in three duals during their abbreviated 2020-21 campaign. Fourteen different wrestlers started, with Seidman (125), Phipps (141), Delp (157), Hartman (165), Barnes (184) and Dorian Crosby (285) starting all three.
• Phipps, Delp and Crosby were three of four freshmen to start a year ago, joining Logan Sanom (149). Barnes, McCready (197) and Niemeyer (197) also earned their first career starts this season.
• Over the course of the 2019-20 campaign, Bucknell used 19 starters in dual competition. Three Bison started every dual: Miller (133), Jaden Fisher (157) and Drew Phipps (197). Drew is the older brother of current Bison Kurt.

Bucknell Individuals at the EIWA Championships
• Half of the Bison projected to compete at the 2022 EIWA Championships have previous postseason experience: senior Brandon Seidman (125), sophomore Kurt Phipps (133), junior Darren Miller (141), senior Zach Hartman (165) and junior Mason McCready (197).
• All five have also earned a spot on the EIWA podium, with Hartman earning three and the other four one apiece.
• Juniors Sam Barnes (174) and Luke Niemeyer (285) and sophomore Nick Delp (157) are Bucknell's returnees who are anticipated to make their EIWA debut.
• Freshmen Kolby DePron (149) and Logan Deacetis (184) are also slated to start. Bucknell has had at least two freshmen wrestle at each of the past five EIWA Championships.
• The following are the results for the Bison's projected competitors with previous EIWA experience:

Brandon Seidman: 1-3
2021: 1-3 (125 pounds) - 6th Place
Gage Curry (American), L, Dec. (4-7)
Kyle Waterman (Drexel), W, Dec. (3-2)
Micah Roes (Binghamton), L, Dec. (3-6)
Dylan Ryder (Hofstra), L, Dec. (2-6)

Kurt Phipps: 3-2
2021: 3-2 (141 pounds) - 7th Place
Patrick Ryan (American), W, Fall (4:18)
Lane Peters (Army), L, Dec. (0-3)
Jordan Carlucci (SHU), W, Maj. Dec. (11-2)
Drew Witham (LIU), L, Dec. (3-7)
Patrick Ryan (American), W, Med. Forfeit

Darren Miller: 5-3
2021: 4-1 (133 pounds) - 3rd Place
Jacob Allen (Navy), L, Maj. Dec. (1-10)
Devin Matthews (LIU), W, Dec. (5-1)
Anthony Sobotker (Binghamton), W, Dec. (7-2)
Chandler Olson (Drexel), W, Dec. (4-0)
Garrett Lambert (Hofstra), W, Dec. (5-0)
2020: 1-2 (133 pounds)
Charlie Faber (Brown), W, TB-2 (9-8)
Casey Cobb (Navy), L, TB-2 (1-2)
Carmen Ferrante (Penn), L, Dec. (0-4)

Zach Hartman: 9-2
2021: 3-0 (165 pounds) - 1st Place
Clayton Fielden (Army), W, Fall (2:40)
Evan Barczak (Drexel), W, Dec. (5-2)
#12 Tanner Skidgel (Navy), W, Maj. Dec. (9-0)
2020: 3-1 (165 pounds) - 2nd Place
Riley Jacops (Columbia), W, Maj. Dec. (10-2)
Grant Cuomo (Princeton), W, Dec. (5-3)
#19 Philip Conigliaro (Harvard), W, SV-1 (8-6)
#8 Tanner Skidgel (Navy), L, Dec. (2-4)
2019: 3-1 (157 pounds) - 2nd Place
Quentin Hovis (Navy), W, Dec. (1-0)
Kizhan Clarke (American), W, Dec. (3-0)
Lucas Weiland (Army), W, Dec. (4-0)
#11 Josh Humphreys (Lehigh), L, Dec. (6-12)

Mason McCready: 2-2
2021: 2-2 (197 pounds) - 7th Place
#19 J.T. Brown (Army), L, Maj. Dec. (4-14)
T.J. Frandan (LIU), W, Maj. Dec. (13-0)
Robert Hetherman (SHU), L, Dec. (6-8)
Sam DePrez (Binghamton), W, SV-1 (9-7)

Note: Rankings Intermat

Quick Facts about Bucknell Individuals at the EIWA Championships
#6 Brandon Seidman (125)
• Team captain with Zach Hartman and Darren Miller
• One of two seniors projected to start at the 2022 EIWA Championships, joining Hartman
• One of four Bison to start all 18 of this season's duals, joining Kurt Phipps (133), Nick Delp (157) and Mason McCready (197)
• During the 2021-22 campaign, 24 of his 28 bouts were decided by decision, with 18 being decided by two or fewer points
• Gave then No. 7 Trevor Mastrogiovanni (OSU) a battle in dual finale, ceding a slim 2-0 decision
• Appeared in both of this season's NCAA Ratings Percentage Index released to date, checking in at 26th (1st of 3) and 32nd (2nd of 3)
• Placed sixth at the 2021 EIWA Championships, which was his first career appearance at this event
• One of six Bison who started all three duals during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign
• At Germantown Academy, posted a career record of 137-34 and was a four-time PAISAA placewinner and National Prep qualifier

#5 Kurt Phipps (133)
• One of four Bison to start all 18 of this season's duals, joining Brandon Seidman (125), Nick Delp (157) and Mason McCready (197)
• Went 9-1 in EIWA duals with four majors and two shutouts; allowed two or fewer points five times
• One-time EIWA Wrestler of the Week (12/20/21)
• Knocked off then No. 13 Michael Colaiocco (Penn) and then No. 29 Derek Spann (Buffalo) this season
• Placed eighth in a strong MatMen Open field
• Made the Intermat rankings for the first time in his career on Feb. 22, 2022, checking in at 32nd
• Placed seventh at the 2021 EIWA Championships in the 141-pound weight class, which was his first career appearance at this event
• One of six Bison who started all three duals during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign
• At Norwin High School, became the first wrestler to win a state title by capturing the 2020 PIAA Class 3A crown at 126 pounds
• Younger brother of Drew Phipps '20, a three-time EIWA placewinner and two-time NCAA qualifier

#4 Darren Miller (141)
• Team captain with Zach Hartman and Brandon Seidman
• Is making third appearance at the EIWA Championships, with the previous two coming at 133 pounds
• Has been a fixture in the Intermat rankings this season, coming in as high as 18th
• Made the second NCAA Ratings Percentage Index released, coming in at 25th
• Opened the 2021-22 campaign with eight-straight victories, with five coming by major decision and one by technical fall; blanked four of first five opponents
• This season, missed time due to an injury suffered at the Navy Classic; ultimately returned for the Sacred Heart dual
• Qualified for the 2021 NCAA Championships by placing third in the 133-pound weight class at the EIWA Championships; battled back through the consolation bracket with four-straight victories to secure the EIWA's final automatic bid
• During the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign, was ranked as high as 13th by Intermat
• One of two Kiski Area graduates in Bucknell's projected lineup, joining Nick Delp
• As a Cavalier, went 164-23 and won a title in the 126-pound weight class at the 2019 PIAA Class 3A Championships; broke fellow Bison Noah Levett's school standard in career victories

Kolby DePron (149)
• One of two freshmen projected to start at the 2022 EIWA Championships, joining Logan Deacetis (184)
• Among Bison, ranks second to two-time All-American Zach Hartman in overall wins (22) and pins (6)
• Placed third at three tournaments: the Clarion Open, Jonathan Kaloust Bearcat Open and Navy Classic
• Won 10 of his first 12 collegiate bouts, registering three pins and two major decisions over that stretch
• Defeated then No. 33 Peyton Omania (MSU) in Davis Gym to secure his first career win over a nationally ranked opponent
• Made the first NCAA Ratings Percentage Index released, coming in at 26th
• At Bridge Creek High School, won Oklahoma 3A titles at three different weight classes: 160 in 2021, 152 in 2020 and 145 in 2019

#7 Nick Delp (157)
• One of four Bison to start all 18 of this season's duals, joining Brandon Seidman (125), Kurt Phipps (133) and Mason McCready (197)
• One-time EIWA Wrestler of the Week (2/21/22)
• In Bucknell's dual finale, knocked off then No. 18 Wyatt Sheets, a two-time NCAA qualifier and 2021 All-American, by a 7-5 decision
• Also defeated then No. 29 Robert Kanniard of Rutgers at the MatMen Open and topped Parker Kropman of Drexel, a two-time NCAA qualifier, in dual action
• Will enter the EIWA Championships on a three-bout winning streak, tied for his season long
• 10 of his bouts were decided by two or fewer points; he has gone exactly .500 in this scenario
• One of six Bison who started all three duals during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign
• One of two Kiski Area graduates in Bucknell's projected lineup, joining Darren Miller
• As a Cavalier, posted a career record of 147-37 with 79 pins; was a three-time PIAA Class 3A state qualifier

#2 Zach Hartman (165)
• Team captain with Brandon Seidman and Darren Miller; is in third-straight season as a captain
• Two-time All-American at 165 pounds
• Second Bison to reach the NCAA semifinals
• Three-time NCAA qualifier
• Defending EIWA champion at 165 pounds
• Two-time EIWA runner-up
• 2021 EIWA Coaches' Trophy recipient and EIWA Wrestler of the Year
• Second Bison wrestler to be recognized as an Academic All-American
• Opened the 2021-22 campaign with an eight-bout winning streak during which he pinned four foes
• Will ride an 11-bout winning streak into the 2022 EIWA Championships
• This season, made every Intermat poll; has been ranked as high as eighth
• Appeared in all 14 NCAA Coaches' Panel Rankings compiled during his time in Lewisburg to date
• Team leader in pins (7) and technical falls (3)
• 26 career pins is eighth in school history
• Went 28-2 in career EIWA duals
• At Belle Vernon Area High School, was a three-time PIAA Class AAA placewinner; graduated with a school-record 170 wins, 96 of which came by fall

Sam Barnes (174)
• Took over as Bucknell's starter at 174 pounds after Vincent Andreano, a 2021 EIWA placewinner, and Jaden Fisher, a two-time EIWA placewinner, were lost to season-ending injuries
• Competed at four open tournaments before entering the Bison's starting lineup in December
• Five of seven victories came by decision
• Is one of two upperclassmen expected to make first career appearance at the EIWA Championships, joining fellow junior Luke Niemeyer (285)
• One of six Bison who started all three duals during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign
• At Mercersburg Academy, was a four-time all-state selection and two-time conference champion who compiled a career record of 119-42

Logan Deacetis (184)
• One of two freshmen projected to start at the 2022 EIWA Championships, joining Kolby DePron (149)
• Scored bonus points in 12 of his 16 victories, with six pins, four major decisions and two technical falls
• Among Bison, ranks second to two-time All-American Zach Hartman in pins (6)
• Won 10 of his first 13 collegiate bouts, with four pins, two major decisions and one technical fall
• Took fourth at the Navy Classic
• At Prairie Central High School, was a two-time undefeated Illinois state champion
• Went 113-0 as a junior and senior en route to a 149-9 career record

Mason McCready (197)
• One of four Bison to start all 18 of this season's duals, joining Brandon Seidman (125), Kurt Phipps (133) and Nick Delp (157)
• Scored bonus points in six of his 14 wins, registering three pins and three major decisions
• All three of his major decisions came during EIWA dual action
• Scored Bucknell's first dual pin of the season in opener against Averett at the Patriot Duals
• Placed seventh at the 2021 EIWA Championships, which was his first career appearance at this event
• Won the 2021 seventh-place bout over Binghamton's Sam DePrez, 9-7, in sudden victory
• At Hollidaysburg Area High School, posted a career record of 102-44 and took eighth at the 2019 PIAA 3A State Championships

Luke Niemeyer (285)
• Was originally expected to wrestle at 197 pounds but made the leap to heavyweight due to 2021 EIWA placewinner Dorian Crosby missing the season to injury
• Strung together a four-bout winning streak during EIWA dual action, registering one pin and two decisions by two or fewer points during that stretch
• Wins against Drexel's Eli Anthony and Army West Point's Brandon Phillips came on last-minute takedowns; beat the buzzer against Anthony
• Wrestled then top-ranked 197 pounder Noah Adams of West Virginia during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign
• At South Plainfield High School, went 124-15 with 75 pins; also was a two-time NJSIAA state placewinner

Note: Rankings Pre-Seed for 2022 EIWA Championships

A Look Ahead
• Bucknell's qualifiers will compete at the NCAA Championships, slated for March 17-19 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.
• On March 8, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will announce the at-large qualifiers. The NCAA brackets and seeding will be unveiled on NCAA.com the following day at 6 p.m.

Bucknell Wrestling Competes at EIWA Championships

Players Mentioned

Vincent Andreano

Sam Barnes

Dorian Crosby

Logan Deacetis

Nick Delp

Nick Delp

Kolby DePron

Jaden Fisher

Frankie Guida, Jr.

Max Harar

Zach Hartman

Zach Hartman

Matt Kidwell

Matthew Kolonia

Noah Levett

Mason McCready

Mason McCready

Darren Miller

Luke Niemeyer

Luke Niemeyer

Kurt Phipps

Kurt Phipps

Logan Sanom

Brandon Seidman

Brandon Seidman

Nolan Springer

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