Wrestling Returns to Davis Gym on Wednesday to Face Lock Haven

Thursday, January 29

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

Lock Haven

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

Wrestling Returns to Davis Gym on Wednesday to Face Lock Haven

1/27/2026 10:57:00 AM | Wrestling

Bucknell (5-8) vs. Lock Haven (7-3)
When: Thursday, Jan. 29 – 7 p.m.
Where: Davis Gym – Lewisburg, Pa.
Watch: ESPN+
Follow on Twitter: @Bucknell_WRST

Projected Bucknell Lineup

125 - Kade Davidheiser
133 - Bryce Manera
141 - #30 Dylan Chappell
149 - Braden Bower or Riley Bower
157 - Cade Wirnsberger or Creed Thomas
165 - #21 Noah Mulvaney
174 - #18 Myles Takats
184 - #31 Tyler Bienus or Mikey Bartush
197 - #27 Dillon Bechtold
285 - #29 Lucas Lawler

Projected Lock Haven Lineup

125: Curtis Nelson or Alex Reed
133: No. 31 Gable Strickland or Patrick O'Keefe
141: No. 18 Wyatt Henson or Hunter Gould or Jake Zaltsman
149: No. 22 Lucas Kapusta
157: Nick Stampoulos or Chase Burke
165: Ousmane Duncanson or Nick Kunstek
174: No. 32 Avery Bassett or Connor Wetzel
184: Sam Gautreau or Cael Black
197: Tucker Hogan
285: Kade Sottolano or Ethan Miller

Rankings Intermat

Bucknell at a Glance

• Bucknell returns to Davis Gym for the first time since Jan. 10 to face rival Lock Haven in the Susquehanna Showdown. The Bison are coming off their first EIWA loss this season after falling 23-12 to Army on Saturday.
• 60% of the Orange & Blue lineup is ranked by Intermat after Tyler Bienus (184) broke into the lists. Myles Takats (174) remains the pacesetter and moved up one slot to #18. Noah Mulvaney (165) stayed at #21. Dillon Bechtold (197) fell from #21 to #27. Lucas Lawler (285) nosed up from #30 to #29. Dylan Chappell (141) also advanced a spot from #31 to #30. Bienus (184) sits at #31, a worthy reward after his month-long hot streak.
• Dylan Chappell (141) 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 reached 100 on Jan. 4 against LIU, scoring a pin against Carter Pack. Chappell became the first Bison grappler to reach the 100-win milestone since Kurt Phipps (133) earned number 100 against No. 16 Anthony Noto (Lock Haven) on Jan. 30, 2025. He went 3-0 at the Davidson Duals and is three wins away from tying for 11th in program history.
• 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 nearly every ranked foe to the bitter end, routing Hofstra, LIU, and Morgan State, and performing well at the Navy Classic. At the Midlands Championships, the team finished third for its highest finish in program history at the competition.
• The Bison have needed every drop of depth with injuries preventing the full lineup from competing together more than once.
• The first NCAA Top 33 Coaches Ranking will be released on Jan. 29. The Bison should have six wrestlers in its lists along with several other grapplers having an outside chance for entry.
• Despite its W-L record, Bucknell sits at 75-55 in matches during duals and has outscored opponents 293-196.
• Noah Mulvaney (165) is 18-4 in matches and a sparkling 12-1 in duals this season, but recently took his first loss last Saturday at Army.
• 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 Army Dual

• Bucknell grabbed the early lead, lost it, rallied from 9-3 to tie the dual, but fell 23-12 after Army finished the competition on a 14-3 run to drop the Bison from the ranks of the EIWA unbeatens.
• The match started at 149 and Braden Bower won a 3-0 decision.
• Army won the 157-weight class on a controversial stalling call in sudden victory and Gunner Filipowicz earned the victory with a pin over Noah Mulvaney (165) in the next bout.
• Bucknell tied the dual 9-9 with back-to-back wins by Myles Takats (174) and Tyler Bienus (184). Bienus earned his triumph with a sudden victory takedown.
• The Black Knights seized advantage two straight wins over Dillon Bechtold (197) and Lucas Lawler (285) in battles of ranked foes.
• Kade Davidheiser (125) recorded the final Bison win during the 14-3 Army charge.

Scouting Lock Haven/Series History

• The Bald Eagles are 7-3 overall and 1-0 in MAC play. Lock Haven finished 14-5 last year and won the MAC regular season and tournament titles.
• The teams have faced four common foes. Both Bucknell and LHU defeated Brown and LIU but the Eagles beat North Dakota State while the Bison lost on a tiebreaker. Both programs fell to Wisconsin.
• Intermat ranks four Lock Haven wrestlers.
• On paper, the Showdown should provide two ranked matches at the 141 and 174 weight classes.
• Lock Haven edged Bucknell 17-15 last year at home.
• The Eagles lead the all-time series 20-5 but the Bison have won the last five out of nine duals. The Susquehanna Showdown dates back to 1947.

A Look Ahead

• Bucknell resumes EIWA competiton on Feb. 7 at Drexel.