Bucknell University
Princeton
Wrestling Suffers Narrow 18-15 Loss at Princeton in Dual Finale
2/23/2024 9:31:00 PM | Wrestling
PRINCETON, N.J. – Bucknell and Princeton were neck-and-neck much of the evening, and a pin in the final bout would've given the Bison a win by criteria, but the Tigers handed Bucknell an 18-15 loss in the team's 2024 dual finale at Jadwin Gymnasium.
Bucknell won five of 10 bouts and was even with Princeton at 12-12 following Myles Takats' win at 174. The difference for the Tigers was a pin at 125 to begin the evening, which were the only bonus points scored in the dual. Kurt Phipps, Dylan Chappell, Noah Mulvaney and Dorian Crosby joined Takats with decision victories.
Phipps and Chappell scored back-to-back wins at 133 and 141 to even the team score at 6-6. For Phipps, the win was his 22nd overall of the season, and he ends the dual schedule an outstanding 13-3 and 8-1 against EIWA opponents.
Princeton then won back-to-back bouts, including a 9-5 decision for 29th-ranked Eligh Rivera at 149, to build a 12-6 advantage. The lead wouldn't last, however, as Bucknell took wins at 165 and 174.
No. 19 Noah Mulvaney trailed 3-0 early in his matchup with Princeton's Blaine Bergey, but he battled his way back to a 5-5 tie. The freshman Bison prevailed in sudden victory, scoring a takedown just 12 seconds into the extra frame. Mulvaney concludes the regular season 25-4 overall and 11-2 in duals.
Takats won handily over Mikey Squires, posting a 7-2 decision to earn his 20th victory of his rookie campaign.
Mikey Bartush (184) suffered an 8-6 decision to No. 19 Nate Dugan, and Logan Deceatis fell 5-3 to Aidan Conner (197) to give the Tigers the 18-12 lead. Deacetis' last-second takedown gave the Bison the advantage in the category, leaving the possibility of a Bucknell win on the table.
Crosby led throughout his bout against No. 31 Matt Cover, and the senior picked up a 6-2 decision in his final dual for the Bison. Crosby improved to 21-8 on the season and 20-9 in career duals.
The Bison now prepare for the 2024 Patriot League Championships, which they host at Sojka Pavilion on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9.
Princeton 18, Bucknell 15
Friday, February 23, 2024
Jadwin Gymnasium – Princeton, N.J.
125: Drew Heethuis (PU) fall over Grayson McLellan (BUC), 2:33 (PU 6-0)
133: No. 14 Kurt Phipps (BUC) dec. over Nick Kayal (PU), 4-3 (PU 6-3)
141: Dylan Chappell (BUC) dec. over Tyler Vazquez (PU), 5-1 (6-6)
149: No. 29 Eligh Rivera (PU) dec. over Braden Bower (BUC), 9-5 (PU 9-6)
157: Rocco Camillaci (PU) dec. over Riley Bower (BUC), 7-3 (PU 12-6)
165: No. 19 Noah Mulvaney (BUC) dec. over Blaine Bergey (PU), 8-5 (SV-1) (PU 12-9)
174: Myles Takats (BUC) dec. over Mikey Squires (PU), 7-2 (12-12)
184: No. 19 Nate Dugan (PU) dec. over Mikey Bartush (BUC), 8-6 (PU 15-12)
197: Aidan Conner (PU) dec. over Logan Deacetis (BUC), 5-3 (PU 18-12)
285: No. 28 Dorian Crosby (BUC) dec. over No. 31 Matt Cover (PU), 6-2 (PU 18-15)
Players Mentioned
