Bucknell University
Southern Scuffle
Wrestling Kicks Off New Year at Southern Scuffle Tournament
12/29/2023 12:01:00 PM | Wrestling
2024 Southern Scuffle
Teams:Â Appalachian State, Army, Bloomsburg, Bucknell, Cal State Bakersfield, Chattanooga, Clarion, Drexel, Duke, Gardner-Webb, Indiana, Little Rock, Morgan State, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Oklahoma, Queens, Stanford, The Citadel, Virginia Tech
When: Monday, Jan. 1 – Tuesday, Jan. 2
Where: McKenzie Arena – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Watch:Â FloWrestling
Live Results:Â FloWrestling
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST
Projected Bucknell Lineup
133: No. 24 Kurt Phipps (8-2)
141: Braden Bower (4-2), Dylan Chappell (7-5)
149: Aiden Davis (6-6), Riley Bower (6-5)
157: Kolby DePron (5-4), Cade Wirnsberger (11-4)
165: No. 26 Noah Mulvaney (14-3)
174: Myles Takats (11-6)
184: Nolan Springer (1-5), Mikey Bartush (5-4)
197: Logan Deacetis (4-5)
285: No. 33 Dorian Crosby (10-4), Logan Shephard (3-3)
Bucknell at a Glance
• Bucknell rings in the new year with a trip to Chattanooga, Tenn. to attend the annual Southern Scuffle for the team's second tournament on the schedule. The tournament precedes the start of Bucknell's EIWA schedule, which begins Jan. 14.
• The Bison improved to 3-3 in duals when it last competed on Dec. 17, defeating both Buffalo and Bloomsburg at home. Bucknell faced a challenging slate of opponents early in the season, facing two teams ranked among the NWCA's top 25 and another receiving votes. Bucknell's other win was over Oklahoma Wesleyan, and it took Wisconsin down to the wire before falling 24-22 on the road.
• Bucknell also put together a solid performance back on Nov. 18 at the Navy Classic, where it finished fourth out of 14 as a team, placed eight on the podium and saw Kurt Phipps win the 133 bracket.
• Phipps was one of three Bison to appear in the latest national rankings, joining Noah Mulvaney (165) and Dorian Crosby (285). Mulvaney ranked as high as No. 16 in the nation by FloWrestling.
• Mulvaney was named the EIWA Wrestler of the Week on Nov. 7 after going 6-0 and winning the 165 bracket at the Clarion Open. He currently leads the roster in wins (14).
• The Bison returned all three 2023 NCAA qualifiers: Dylan Chappell (149), Crosby (285), and Phipps (133). Chappell and Crosby were both automatic qualifiers, and Phipps was one of 47 wrestlers to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships.
• Bucknell also returns four of its five EIWA placewinners from a season ago: Chappell, Crosby, Phipps, and Nick Delp (157).
• Bucknell graduated six seniors in 2023, including 2021 NCAA qualifier and three-time EIWA placewinner Darren Miller as well as 2021 EIWA placewinners Mason McCready and Vincent Andreano.
• The Bison added 10 newcomers this season, and the group was dubbed the No. 19 recruiting class in the country by Intermat.
• Chappell, Crosby, Delp, and Phipps are serving as team captains this season.
• Head coach Dan Wirnsberger is in his 18th season with the Bison and his 19th year leading the program since its revival in 2005. He ranks second all-time in program history with 151 career wins.
A Look Back at the 2023 Southern Scuffle
• Bucknell's Kurt Phipps (133) and Darren Miller (141) both finished as placewinners at the 2023 Southern Scuffle, claiming fourth and sixth place, respectively. Phipps went 6-2 and moved past three nationally-ranked wrestlers en route to his podium finish.
• Bucknell sent 11 grapplers in total to last year's tournament, and the group finished with an 18-21 overall record.
• Phipps, Miller and Dylan Chappell (141) each posted winning records at the tournament.
A Look Back at the Buffalo and Bloomsburg Duals
• Bucknell went 2-0 at its home tri-match against the Bulls and the Huskies. The Bison started the day with a dramatic 18-17 win over Buffalo. The Bulls held a 17-12 lead heading into the final heavyweight tilt, and Dorian Crosby pulled off the technical fall to even the match at 17-17. Bucknell's narrow 64-63 edge in total match points was enough for the victory by Criteria C.
• Both teams won five of the 10 bouts, and there were no falls. Kurt Phipps (133), Braden Bower (141), Noah Mulvaney (165) and Myles Takats (174) all joined Crosby in the win column.
• The Bison then handled Bloomsburg 43-3, winning nine straight bouts after the Huskies began the afternoon with a victory at 125. Logan Deacetis (197) and Takats both secured pins, and eight of Bucknell's nine winners overall secured bonus points.
• Phipps, Bower, Mulvaney, Takats and Crosby all went 2-0 on the day.
Bison Ranked
 • Kurt Phipps (133): 24th by Intermat, 22nd by FloWrestling
 • Noah Mulvaney (165): 26th by Intermat, 16th by FloWrestling
 • Dorian Crosby (285): 33rd by Intermat, 28th by FloWrestling
Bison Category Leaders
• Wins: Noah Mulvaney (14)
• Dual Wins: Noah Mulvaney (5)
• Pins: Davis/Delp/Takats (3)
• Technical Falls: Dorian Crosby (5)
• Major Decisions: Myles Takats (3)
2024 EIWA Championships at Bucknell
Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 EIWA Championship Tournament, which Bucknell will host at Sojka Pavilion on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. Visit the Bucknell Campus Box Office to purchase.
A Look Ahead
The Bison travel to Brooklyn, N.Y. on Sunday, Jan. 14 to face LIU for their first EIWA dual of the season.
Players Mentioned
