Bucknell Wrestling Introduces Top-25 Freshman Class

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Head coach Dan Wirnsberger and the Bucknell wrestling team welcomed seven freshmen to the roster this fall. For a second year in a row, the newcomers garnered national praise as the 25th-ranked recruiting class by Intermat.

"We are extremely excited to add another top-25 recruiting class to our program. This group not only excels on the mat, but also in the classroom," said Wirnsberger. "Our staff looks forward to watching their growth and development during their time here at Bucknell. This group will undoubtedly have a positive impact within our team as well as the campus community."

The seven newcomers hail from five different states: Florida, Georgia, New Jersey (2), Ohio and Pennsylvania (2). Six served as team captains at their respective high schools, two captured individual state championship titles, and three more finished as state runners-up.

The freshman class joins a Bucknell team that placed six on the podium at the 2024 EIWA Championships and sent five to compete at the NCAA Championships last March. Two of Bucknell's NCAA qualifiers last spring were freshmen.

Below is more information on the seven members of the Bucknell class of 2028.

Dillon Bechtold
197 lbs. | Pottstown, Pa. | Owen J. Roberts

Before Bucknell: Four-year letterwinner and two-time team captain for the Owen J. Roberts High School wrestling team … captured a Pennsylvania state championship title and was a two-time Pennsylvania state finalist … Escape the Rock and King of the Mountain tournament champion … Schalles PA Pinner Award recipient … Fargo All-American … Super 32 All-American … helped lead team to fourth-place finish at states … posted a 129-12 career record in high school, including a perfect 42-0 mark as a senior … 41 of 42 wins came by bonus points during senior campaign … logged 83 career pins.

Personal: Dillon Cole Bechtold … born May 14, 2005 in Pottstown, Pa. … son of Jamie and Dan Bechtold … has three siblings: Dean, Decker and Davis … father wrestled at Elizabethtown College … mother played basketball at Elizabethtown.

Tyler Bienus
184 lbs. | Flanders, N.J. | Mount Olive

Before Bucknell: Four-year letterwinner in wrestling and golf … two-year team captain for the Mount Olive High School Marauders … two-time New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) placewinner, finishing third and seventh … three-time regional placewinner and 2024 region champion … three-time district champion … helped lead team to three state championship titles … set school record for career pins … also served as a two-year captain for the golf team … placed seventh at the New Jersey Athletic Conference golf tournament.

Personal: Tyler John Bienus … born March 19, 2006 in Morristown, N.J. … son of Tjasa and John Bienus … has two siblings: Brian and Katie … brother, Brian, wrestled at Ithaca College … grandfather wrestled at Penn State … great grandfather attended Bucknell.

Vinnie D'Alessandro
133 lbs. | Mayfield Heights, Ohio | Mayfield

Before Bucknell: Four-year letterwinner and three-year team captain for the Mayfield Wildcats … also competed for the Spire Institute … four-time sectional champion and four-time state qualifier … two-time placewinner at states … 2022 National High School Coaches Association Junior Nationals runner-up at 120 lbs. … registered a 180-18 career record … logged school records for most wins as a freshman, most single-season wins, most career wins and most single-match points.

Personal: Vincent Joseph D'Alessandro … born July 7, 2004 in Mayfield Heights, Ohio … son of Kristin and Joe D'Alessandro … has two siblings: Joey and Sammi.

Ty Kapusta
125 lbs. | Export, Pa. | Franklin Regional

Before Bucknell: Four-year letterwinner and three-year team captain for the Franklin Regional High School Panthers … three-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association AAA state placewinner and one-time state runner-up … helped lead team to two sectional championship titles and a Pennsylvania state qualifier … posted a 120-33 career record, including a 45-7 mark as a senior ... also lettered in golf.

Personal: Tyler Jeffrey Kapusta … born May 14, 2005 in Pittsburgh, Pa. … son of Cori and Jeff … has one sibling: Callie … father wrestled at North Dakota State.

Chris Nucifora
125 lbs. | Oakland, N.J. | Bergen Catholic

Before Bucknell: Lettered four years in wrestling for the Bergen Catholic High School Crusaders … captured three district championship titles and a regional championship title … three-time state qualifier … helped guide the Crusaders to a 2022 state team championship title … member of the first-ever team to send a full roster to individual state championships in New Jersey.

Personal: Christopher Joseph Nucifora … born Jan. 1, 2005 in Hackensack, N.J. … son of Ann-Marie and Christopher … has two siblings: Nicholas and Gabriella … father wrestled at Rutgers … hopes to attend law school.

Kaden Schaefer
149 lbs. | Jacksonville, Fla. | Fleming Island

Before Bucknell: Lettered four years in wrestling at Fleming Island High School and at Wyoming Seminary Prep … was a two-year team captain … three-year All-County and All-Region selection … Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state finalist … three-time FHSAA placewinner … won three regional championship titles and three district championship titles … three-time AAU Disney Duals All-American … posted a 138-9 record, including 62 falls and 53 tech falls.

Personal: Kaden Clark Schaefer … born April 14, 2005 in Indianapolis, Ind. … son of Nicole and Todd … has two siblings: Maisie and Lennon.

Creed Thomas
165/174 lbs. | Jefferson, Ga. | Jefferson

Before Bucknell: Four-year wrestling letterwinner and team captain for the Jefferson High School Dragons … two-time state champion and three-time finalist … four-time National All-American … ranked nationally by MatScouts, Intermat and FloWrestling … ranked top 10 pound-for-pound in Georgia … two-time NGA Wrestler of the Year nominee … helped lead his team to four regional titles, four sectional titles, and five Dual/Traditional Team State Championships.

Personal: Joshua Creed Thomas … born May 9, 2005 in Jefferson, Ga. … son of Leah and Tim Thomas … has two siblings: Sarah and Ben.