Wrestling Loses 19-15 to Lock Haven

Thursday, January 29

Lewisburg, Pa.

7 p.m.

Bucknell University

Lock Haven

Photo by: Sam Janicki

1/29/2026 9:30:00 PM | Wrestling

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell (5-9) dropped a 19-15 heartbreaker to rival Lock Haven (8-3) on a frigid Thursday night in the 26th Susquehanna Showdown. The Bison rallied from a 16-8 deficit to force a winner-take-all bout at the heavyweight class. No. 29 Lucas Lawler and Kade Sottolano went into overtime and the Lock Haven grappler pulled out the takedown to win the bout and the dual.

Bucknell won four of the ten bouts, including two with bonus points, but could not dig themselves out of the 13-3 and 16-8 holes. No. 30 Dylan Chappell (141) recorded the 10-7 upset decision over No. 18 Wyatt Henson to put Bucknell on the board. No. 21 Noah Mulvaney (165) dominated Ousmane Duncanson in a 15-0 tech fall. The Bison wrestler was never in danger and toyed with his opponent the entire time.

No. 31 Tyler Bienus (184) celebrated his newly christened ranking with a 3-1 decision over Sam Gautreau. No. 27 Dillon Bechtold (197) added to the Bison momentum with a 10-2 major decision over Tucker Hogan.

The two wins set the stage for the Lawler-Sottolano showdown. The two wrestlers danced around each other, neither wanting to give up a disadvantageous position. Lawler scored the early escape point. Sottolano obtained a similar score in the third round after Lawler couldn't keep him corralled. That sent the match into overtime. Lawler attempted a maneuver and Sottolano gained the advantage for the takedown. The loss dropped Lawler to 0-5 in winner-take-all bouts.

Lock Haven blitzed to a 4-1 record in the dual's first five matches. The Bald Eagles won three decisions and one major decision en route to their 13-3 lead.

After Mulvaney conquered Duncanson, No. 18 Myles Takats (174) challenged No. 32 Avery Bassett in the dual's second ranked match. Bassett jumped out to a 9-3 lead but Takats clawed back to 11-8 and had riding time and momentum on his side. Bassett turned the tables and obtained a takedown. Coach Dan Wirnsberger threw the brick but the referees stayed with the call on the mat.

Bucknell will have this weekend off before traveling to Drexel (Feb. 7) and Navy (Feb. 8).

RESULTS
125: Curtis Nelson (LHU) major dec. over Kade Davidheiser (BU), 19-7 (LHU 4-0)
133: No. 31 Gable Strickland (LHU) dec. over Bryce Manera (BU), 7-2 (LHU 7-0)
141: No. 30 Dylan Chappell (BU) dec. over No. 18 Wyatt Henson (LHU), 10-7 (LHU 7-3)
149: No. 22 Lucas Kapusta (LHU) dec. over Braden Bower (BU), 7-3 (LHU 10-3)
157: Nick Stampoulos (LHU) dec. over Cade Wirnsberger (BU), 3-2 (LHU 13-3)
165: No. 21 Noah Mulvaney (BU) tech fall over Ousmane Duncanson (LHU), 15-0, 7:00 (LHU 13-8)
174: No. 32 Avery Bassett (LHU) dec. over No. 18 Myles Takats (BU), 14-9 (LHU 16-8)
184: No. 31 Tyler Bienus (BU) dec. over Sam Gautreau (LHU), 3-1 (LHU 16-11)
197: No. 27 Dillon Bechtold (BU) major dec. over Tucker Hogan (LHU), 10-2 (LHU 16-15)
285: Kade Sottolano (LHU) dec. over No. 29 Lucas Lawler (BU), 4-1 SV (LHU 19-15)