Bucknell University Athletics
Wrestling's Phipps Named Bison of the Week Following Navy Classic Performance
11/20/2023 10:37:00 AM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell wrestling's Kurt Phipps was named Bison of the Week on Monday after a championship performance at the Navy Classic on Saturday. Phipps posted a 4-0 record, including a win over a nationally-ranked Nebraska wrestler in the 133-pound finals. It's the third time Phipps has earned Bison of the Week honors in his career.
Phipps logged bonus points in his first two wins on Saturday and blanked his opponent with a 3-0 win in the semifinals. He opened the day with a 17-2 tech fall over Bloomsburg's Michael Cassidy in the round of 16. He then posted a 12-1 major decision over Cleveland State's Canyon Wells in the round of 16.
In the semifinal round, Phipps and Nebraska's fifth-seeded Kyle Burwick sat tied at 0-0 into the second period before a reversal gave the Bison senior captain a 2-0 lead. Phipps secured the riding time point while giving up no points in the 3-0 win over Burwick, who is a two-time NCAA qualifier.
In the finals, Phipps was matched up against 31st-ranked Jacob Van Dee, who was seeded third at the tournament. He used a third-period reversal to take a 2-1 lead and secured the riding time point to defeat his first nationally-ranked opponent of the season. Van Dee was 5-0 on the season entering the match.
Phipps, who entered the weekend ranked No. 17 in the country, improved to 5-2 on the young season. His only losses were to Oklahoma State' No. 2 Dayton Fix and Minnesota's Tyler Wells.
Eight Bison in total finished as placewinners at the Navy Classic, including a runner-up finish for Dylan Chappell (149). The Bison placed fourth as a team out of 14.
Bucknell returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 3 when it travels to No. 18 Wisconsin.
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