Wrestling Announces Top-25 Ranked Freshman Class of Nine
8/5/2025 12:05:00 PM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Head coach Dan Wirnsberger and the Bucknell wrestling team welcomed nine freshmen to the roster this fall. For a third year in a row, the newcomers garnered national praise as a top-25 ranked recruiting class.
"We are excited to welcome these nine student-athletes to our Bison wrestling family and Bucknell University," said head Coach Dan Wirnsberger. "This class is coming to us from all across the country and we are looking forward to their impact on the mat, in the classroom and around the community here in Lewisburg."
The nine newcomers hail from four different states: New Jersey (4), Pennsylvania (3), South Carolina and Ohio. Four served as team captains at their respective high schools and two were individual state champions.
The freshman class joins a Bucknell team that placed seven on the podium at the 2024 EIWA Championships and sent five to compete at the NCAA Championships last March. One of Bucknell's NCAA qualifiers last spring was a freshman.
Below is more information on the nine members of the Bucknell class of 2029.
Before Bucknell: Lettered four years in wrestling and lacrosse at Kittatinny Regional High School…wrestling two-time team captain and MVP…5th place state medalist…three-time First Team All-County…three-time section champions…two-time District 1st place…lacrosse two-time team captain and team MVP…Honorable Mention All-State Group One…First Team All-Conference.
Personal: Ethan Patrick Dalling…born August 15, 2007 in Morristown, N.J…son of Rene and Steve Dalling…has one brother; Steven.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in both wrestling and football at The Hill School…Second Team All-MAPL 215 lbs…Second Team All-MAPL 285 lbs…Pennsylvania Prep State Champion 285 lbs…two-time Second Team All-MAPL Defense in football…2023 PA Prep State Champions…senior year record of 41-10…most single-season wins in 20 years at The Hill School.
Personal: Dante Michael Donaldson…born October 25, 2005 in Summit, N.J…son of Meghan and Bruce Donaldson…has three siblings; Deacon, Dagny and Dominique…grandmother is an Olympic Gold Medalist Fencer for Great Britain…father competed in the National Lacrosse League for the Boston Blazers and Pittsburgh Bulls…mother was an All-American swimmer at William Smith College…Deacon played lacrosse for Army West Point…Dagny swam at Lehigh.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in both wrestling and football at Hawken School…OHSSA State Champion…OHSSA State Runner-up…150 career wins…first State Champion in school history…held the career pin school record…four undefeated dual seasons.
Personal: William Vermes Greenberg…born June 15, 2006 in Cleveland, Ohio…son of Nina and Joseph Greenberg…has two siblings; Mitch and Janet.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in wrestling and football at Bishop Mcdevitt…earned All-State honors…ranked third in Pennsylvania and top ten in the country…three-time District Champion…three-time Pennsylvania State Placewinner…Escape the rock champion…two-time Powerade Placewinner…four-time Sectional Champion…senior year record of 49-2…team captain…served as football team captain…two-time state champion…four-time District 3 Champions.
Personal: Lucas Lawler…born February 20, 2007 in Harrisburg, Pa…son of Michael and Marcy Lawler…has three siblings: Jacob, Marcus and Liam.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in wrestling at Southern Regional High School…made school history as a part of a team that won three state titles in a row.
Personal: Bryce Timothy Manera…born December 27, 2006 in Ventnor City…son of Danielle and Greg Manera…has two siblings; Trent and Cecelia…Trent is on the College Crew team at La Salle.
Before Bucknell: Lettered four years in wrestling at Hillsborough High School…First Team All-Area Central Jersey (2025)…two-time Third Team All-Area Central Jersey (2023/24)…Second Team All-Conference Delaware Division (2024)...2025 NJSIAA State Qualifier and District Champion…2023 NJSIAA State Qualifier…2022 Somerset County Finalist…individual record of 125-35…top three in total wins in Hillsborough wrestling history…served as team captain.
Personal: Logan James McDermid… born January 26, 2007 in Edison, New Jersey… son of Dawn and James McDermid … has two siblings: Jayde and Camryn…Jayde competes in track and field at the University of Delaware…cousin Daniel plays football at the University of Pennsylvania.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in wrestling at Bethlehem Catholic…two-time District 11 Champion…NE Region Champion…two-time PIAA AAA State placer…District 11 Scholar Athlete of the Year…two-time EPC First-Team…won over 100 matches.
Personal: Shane Kirk McFillin…born January 11, 2006 in Allentown, Pa…son of Roger and Tracy McFillin…has two siblings; Alexa and Madison…father played football at Albright College…grandfather played football at Lehigh.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in wrestling at Mill Creek…three-time State Champion and four-time placer…represented America at the U15 Pan Am games in Columbia…Fargo Champion and three-time Fargo All-American…finished 3rd and 4th in the state across three years at Mill Creek…first freshman State Champion at Spring Valley High School.
Personal: Blue Skylar Xavier Stiffler…born February 22, 2007 in Columbia, South Carolina…son of Denise and Charles Stiffler…has five siblings; Nick, Tyler, Lydia, Kyle and Jordan.
Before Bucknell: Lettered in wrestling at Coatesville Area Senior High School…three-time PIAA AAA State qualifier…three-time Chesmont Champion…two-time District 1 Champion and four-time placer…two-time PIAA All-State Academic Team…Four-Time All-Area Second Team…three-time District 1 First Team…three-time All-Chesmont First Team…one-time All-Chesmont Second Team…two-time award winner for most falls…District 1 All-Academic Team…Second Team PIAA State Academic…2024 Team PA Fargo Team Member…2024 5th PA Freestyle States…four-time Adidas Nationals All-American…three-time Adidas Nationals Champion…served as team captain…placed third at Chesmonts and sixth at districts during the 2022-23 season…placed 6th at Chesmont and 5th at districts during the 2023-2024 season…127-35 career record with 58 falls.
Personal: Andrij Szczesniuk…born April 27, 2007 in Coatesville, Pa…son of Andy and Terra Szczesniuk…has one sibling; Chloe.Players Mentioned
