Bucknell Welcomes Big Ten Foe Wisconsin for Home Opener This Saturday

Bucknell (2-2) vs. Wisconsin (0-2)
When: Saturday, Dec. 7 – 6 p.m. (ET)
Where: Davis Gym – Lewisburg, Pa.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST

Projected Bucknell Lineup:
125: Tyler Kapusta (0-0)
133: #25 Kurt Phipps (5-3)
141: #20 Dylan Chappell (6-2)
149: Braden Bower (2-4)/Aiden Davis (4-1)
157: Cade Wirnsberger (5-3)
165: Brian Shindel (0-0)/Sean Walker (0-2)
174: #24 Myles Takats (3-0)
184: Logan Deacetis (6-2)
197: Dillon Bechtold (5-3)
285: Logan Shephard (2-6)/Nolan Springer (3-2)

Rankings Intermat

Bucknell at a Glance:

• Bucknell looks to improve to 3-2 and defeat a Big Ten opponent for the first time this season.
• This is the third Big 10 opponent that Bucknell has dueled during the 2024-25 season. The Bison fell 26-11 to Maryland on Opening Day and were pinned 35-3 by #8 Minnesota.
• The Bison competed at the Navy Classic on Nov. 23 and competed well against a solid field of opponents finishing fifth.
• Bucknell had the No. 25 recruiting class in the country by Intermat.
• Head coach Dan Wirnsberger is in his 19th season with the Bison and his 20th year leading the program since its revival in 2005.

A Look Back at the Navy Classic

• The Bison claimed fifth place at the Navy Classic.
• Bucknell placed eight wrestlers on the podium.
• Phipps (133) failed to defend his first place from 2023 but he fought hard in the finals losing 3-2 to claim second place.
• Chappell (141) and Wirnsberger (157) finished third.

Scouting Wisconsin/Series History

• The Badgers are 0-2 on the season having lost to Ohio and Rider by double-digit margins.
• Wisconsin competed at the Michigan State Open on Nov. 9, placing three wrestlers on the podium.
• The Badgers will play three Pennsylvanian teams during this road trip. After facing Bucknell, Wisconsin wrestles Bloomsburg and Lock Haven.
• Wisconsin posted a 9-7 overall mark in 2023-24 but went 3-5 in the brutal Big Ten conference. They finished eighth at the Big Ten Championships and 18th at the National Championships.
• Bucknell and Wisconsin are meeting for the second time. The first match occurred last season in Wisconsin. The Badgers edged the Bison 24-22.

A Look Ahead

• Bucknell stays in Davis Gym and returns to EIWA play when the Orange & Blue hosts LIU on Dec. 20. The Bison are already 1-0 in EIWA play after defeating Morgan State.

Bucknell Welcomes Big Ten Foe Wisconsin for Home Opener This Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Dillon Bechtold

Braden Bower

Dylan Chappell

Aiden Davis

Logan Deacetis

Kurt Phipps

Logan Shephard

Brian Shindel

Nolan Springer

Myles Takats

Sean Walker

Cade Wirnsberger