Wrestling Faces EIWA Foe LIU on Sunday

Bucknell (2-5, 2-0 EIWA) vs. LIU (1-8, 0-2 EIWA)
When: Sunday, Jan. 4 – 3 p.m.
Where: Pratt Recreation Center – Brookville, N.Y.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST

Projected Bucknell Lineup:

125 - Kade Davidheiser
133 - Bryce Manera
141 - #31 Dylan Chappell
149 - Riley Bower or Braden Bower
157 - #32 Cade Wirnsberger
165 - #25 Noah Mulvaney
174 - #15 Myles Takats
184 - Tyler Bienus or Mikey Bartush
197 - #12 Dillon Bechtold
285 - #27 Lucas Lawler

Rankings Flo

Bucknell at a Glance

• Bucknell resumes dual competition against fellow EIWA foe LIU. The Bison have started the season 2-0 in EIWA play with wins over Hofstra and Morgan State.
• Half of the Bison starting lineup is ranked by FloWrestling. Dillon Bechtold leads the way at #12. Myles Takats jumped to #15 after impressive performances in recent outings. Cade Wirnsberger entered the rankings for the first time this season.
• Dylan Chappell entered 2025-26 with 88 career wins and the fifth-year senior added three to his ledger at the Navy Classic, picked up a victory in the Wisconsin dual, added three more at the Bucknell Quad, and notched four victories at the Midlands Championships. He looks to become the next Bison grappler to reach the 100-win milestone. Kurt Phipps was the last Bucknell wrestler to achieve the distinction, earning number 100 against Anthony Noto (Lock Haven) on Jan. 30, 2025.
• Bucknell posted its third straight top 25 recruiting class, providing an even greater pool of talent for the program. The depth has been on display with the Bison taking every ranked foe to the bitter end, routing Morgan State and Hofstra, despite missing several starters, and performing well at the Navy Classic and Midlands Championships.
• Head coach Dan Wirnsberger is in his 20th season with the Bison and his 21th year leading the program since its revival in 2005.

A Look Back at the Midlands Championships

• Bucknell finished third at the competition for its highest Midlands placement in program history, breaking last year's seventh place mark.
• The Bison placed five grapplers on the podium.
• Myles Takats (174) won his weight class, ripping off five victories, including a revenge win over Virginia Tech's Sergio Desiante and defeating No. 21 Daschle Lamer (Oregon State).
• Lucas Lawler (285) finished third in his first Midlands competition, posting a 5-1 record.
• Dylan Chappell (141) recorded four wins en route to his second straight top four finish at Midlands. The Bison fifth-year senior placed fourth after nabbing third in the 2024-25 edition.
• Noah Mulvaney (165) fought through injuries to finish fifth after winning three bouts.
• Tyler Bienus (184) rounded out the Bison podium crew with a sixth place finish.

Scouting LIU/Series History

• LIU is 1-8 on the season and 0-2 in EIWA play. Their one victory arrived versus Nassau Community College. In EIWA competition, they fell 27-11 to Franklin & Marshall and 40-4 to Binghamton. The Sharks have been outscored by 28.1 points in their eight defeats.
• FloWrestling does not rank any LIU grapplers.
• LIU finished 5-9 overall and 2-5 in conference play last season. They finished ninth at the EIWA Championships.
• Bucknell is 5-0 all-time against the Sharks and won last year's bout 37-5.

A Look Ahead

• Bucknell returns to Davis Gym to face national powerhouse and former EIWA rival Cornell on Jan. 10.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mikey Bartush

Dillon Bechtold

Tyler Bienus

Braden Bower

Riley Bower

Dylan Chappell

Kade Davidheiser

Lucas Lawler

Bryce Manera

Noah Mulvaney

Kurt Phipps

Myles Takats

Cade Wirnsberger