Photo by: Brett Newcomb
Kurt Phipps Named Bison of the Week
3/11/2025 5:50:00 PM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Kurt Phipps enjoyed a career performance at the 2025 EIWA Championships to win Bucknell's Athletics Department's Bison of the Week as announced Tuesday by the communications office.Â
Phipps brought home an EIWA individual title in the 133-pound weight. His accomplishment marked only the fifth time a Bucknell wrestler has stood atop an EIWA podium and the first time since Zach Hartman (165) achieved the distinction in 2021. The title came with an added bonus. The EIWA only received one allocation in the 133-weight class necessitating Phipps to win the format to guarantee his third straight NCAA Championships appearance.Â
The fifth-year senior entered the competition as the two-seed knowing the situation was win or in or leave his fate up to the at-large committee. He opened the championships defeating seven-seeded Raymond Lopez (American) in a 11-1 major decision. The victory advanced him to the semifinals against third-seeded Matthew Lopes of Lehigh, who was wrestling on his home mat, and had the support of the Lehigh heavy crowd. Phipps overcame those decisive odds and triumphed 5-4 to earn entry into the finals.Â
Drexel wrestler Kyle Waterman, seeded fourth, awaited the Bison grappler. Phipps did not need to stage a comeback. He grabbed a 5-2 lead on a takedown and nearfall. He built a 7-2 advantage on an escape and riding time. Near the end, he allowed a takedown to ensure his 7-5 victory and automatic entry into the NCAA Championships.Â
The three wins at the EIWA Championships boosted Phipps's career total to 107 tying him for ninth in Bucknell history with current Bison assistant coach Tyler Smith (2014-2018).Â
Phipps and his three other teammates that qualified for the NCAA Championships head to Philadelphia on March 20-22.Â
Phipps brought home an EIWA individual title in the 133-pound weight. His accomplishment marked only the fifth time a Bucknell wrestler has stood atop an EIWA podium and the first time since Zach Hartman (165) achieved the distinction in 2021. The title came with an added bonus. The EIWA only received one allocation in the 133-weight class necessitating Phipps to win the format to guarantee his third straight NCAA Championships appearance.Â
The fifth-year senior entered the competition as the two-seed knowing the situation was win or in or leave his fate up to the at-large committee. He opened the championships defeating seven-seeded Raymond Lopez (American) in a 11-1 major decision. The victory advanced him to the semifinals against third-seeded Matthew Lopes of Lehigh, who was wrestling on his home mat, and had the support of the Lehigh heavy crowd. Phipps overcame those decisive odds and triumphed 5-4 to earn entry into the finals.Â
Drexel wrestler Kyle Waterman, seeded fourth, awaited the Bison grappler. Phipps did not need to stage a comeback. He grabbed a 5-2 lead on a takedown and nearfall. He built a 7-2 advantage on an escape and riding time. Near the end, he allowed a takedown to ensure his 7-5 victory and automatic entry into the NCAA Championships.Â
The three wins at the EIWA Championships boosted Phipps's career total to 107 tying him for ninth in Bucknell history with current Bison assistant coach Tyler Smith (2014-2018).Â
Phipps and his three other teammates that qualified for the NCAA Championships head to Philadelphia on March 20-22.Â
Players Mentioned
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