Wrestling Duels EIWA Foe American in Nation's Capital

Bucknell (5-9, 3-3 EIWA) at American (8-8, 0-4 EIWA)
When: Friday, Feb. 14 – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Bender Arena – Washington, D.C.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST

Projected Bucknell Lineup:
125 - Chris Nucifora (0-5)
133 - #27 Kurt Phipps (16-8)
141 - #20 Dylan Chappell (17-7)
149 - Aiden Davis (9-6) or Kolby DePron (7-5)
157 - Cade Wirnsberger (13-17)
165 - #22 Noah Mulvaney (10-4)
174 - #16 Myles Takats (19-5)
184 - Logan Deacetis (9-10)
197 - #25 Dillon Bechtold (18-8)
285 - Logan Shephard (6-12)

Rankings Intermat

Bucknell at a Glance:

• Bucknell looks to move above .500 in EIWA play when it faces conference foe American.
• American is the seventh and final EIWA match for the Bison.
• The Orange & Blue were defeated by No. 23 Lehigh in the Keystone Clash last Friday.
• Five Bucknell wrestlers are ranked by Intermat with Myles Takats slotting the highest at #16.
• The first NCAA Coaches Rankings recently were released and four Bison received recognition: #30 Kurt Phipps (133), #15 Dylan Chappell (141), #19 Noah Takats (174), and #19 Dillon Bechtold (197). Noah Mulvaney, due to his early season injuries, misses the initial cut but should be ranked in the forthcoming editions. The next version arrives tomorrow.
• 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 Lehigh Dual

• Bucknell lost 29-13 to No. 23 Lehigh.
• Fifth-year wrestler Kurt Phipps was honored before the match for his 100 career wins achievement.
• The Bison won three matches before could not stand up to Lehigh's overwhelming talent.
• The Bison trailed 17-6 before winning two straight matches to move within 17-13.
• #22 Noah Mulvaney (165) won a major decision and No. 17 Myles Takats (174) earned a decision.
• Lehigh ended the match on a 12-0 run to prevent Bucknell from its second ranked win.

Scouting American/Series History

• The Eagles are 8-8 overall and 0-4 in EIWA competition.
• American has faced one ranked opponent in No. 22 Army losing 34-4.
• Both Bucknell and American faced Maryland and lost but the Eagles were shut out 37-0.
• American has lost to Army, Drexel, Lehigh, and Navy in conference competition.
• The Eagles have one wrestler ranked by Intermat - #32 Will Jarrell (285).
• American went 8-14 overall and 0-5 in EIWA play during the 2023-24 season. They placed 13th at the EIWA Championships.
• Bucknell and American are meeting for the 33rd time. Bucknell holds the decisive 25-6-1 advantage and hasn't lost to American since 2019. The two teams first met in 1966.

A Look Ahead

• The Bison face Columbia (Feb. 21) at Davis Gym and travel to ranked Cornell (Feb. 22) to complete the regulat season.

Wrestling Duels EIWA Foe American in Nation's Capital

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Dillon Bechtold

Dylan Chappell

Logan Deacetis

Kolby DePron

Noah Mulvaney

Chris Nucifora

Kurt Phipps

Logan Shephard

Myles Takats

Myles Takats

Cade Wirnsberger