Wrestling Lands Program-Record Five Bison on NWCA Scholar All-Americans List

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Five Bucknell wrestlers were recognized when the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) released its 2024 Scholar All-America Team on Friday, honoring student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics and athletics. The five Bison honored sets a new program record, beating the previous high of four reached last season and in 1995. Kurt Phipps earned the award for a third time, and Dylan Chappell was recognized for a second year in a row. Dorian Crosby, Kolby DePron and Noah Mulvaney were first-time recipients.

NWCA Scholar All-Americans are selected based on parameters that take into account grade-point average as well as a combination of national tournament qualifiers, conference tournament participants and/or season records. Placewinners at nationals must possess a 3.0 GPA, national qualifiers must possess a 3.3 GPA, and those with a 3.5 GPA are eligible if they represent their institutions at the conference tournament or post a 60 percent or better record in a minimum of 15 matches.

Phipps (133), who has been an NWCA Scholar All-America honoree three consecutive years, wrapped up a 28-7 season and was among the final 12 133-pound wrestlers left standing at the NCAA Championships last weekend. He reached the tournament's blood round, finishing one win shy of NCAA All-American honors while going 3-2 on wrestling's biggest stage. Phipps is a two-time NCAA qualifier and three-time EIWA placewinner, taking fourth place this season.

A two-year team captain, Phipps has been an active member of Bucknell Athletics' Leadership Institute and was a 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District at-large honoree. The senior is enrolled in Bucknell's five-year dual-degree program, majoring in civil engineering and management for engineers.

Crosby (285), a senior who will graduate this spring with a degree in early childhood education, went 2-2 at last weekend's NCAA Championships. He qualified for the tournament for a second year in a row after finishing runner-up at the EIWA Championships. Crosby was one of three Bison to earn a first-round win at the NCAA tournament. He wrapped up his senior campaign with a 26-11 record and will graduate with 50 career wins, 46 of which he achieved in the last two seasons.

Chappell (141) also reached the NCAA tournament for a second year in a row and earned his first win on the national stage, capping a 21-11 season. Chappell is now 66-28 in his career and has collected wins at three different weight classes. He earned his second EIWA runner-up finish this season at 141 pounds after reaching the finals a year ago at 149. He's only the third Bison to finish as an EIWA runner-up two times. Chappell is also in a five-year dual-degree program majoring in chemical engineering and management for engineers.

Mulvaney (165) was one of two Bucknell freshmen to earn at spot at the NCAA Championships after receiving one of 47 at-large bids. He ranked as high as 12th in the country at 165 pounds and achieved a 28-9 record, including a 1-2 mark at the national tournament. An undeclared management major, Mulvaney placed sixth at the EIWA Championships during his first season in Lewisburg.

DePron (157), an art history and economics major, posted a 12-6 record this season and went 2-0 in dual appearances. He placed first at the Edinboro Open and sixth at the Cleveland State Open. The junior won his final six bouts of the season and improved to 43-31 in his career.