Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Lauren Medeiros
Five Bison Slotted in Preseason Rankings
10/14/2026 4:01:00 PM | Wrestling
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell wrestling enjoyed one of its most bountiful campaigns ever during the 2025-26 season when the Bison finished third at the EIWA Championships, placed third at the prestigious Midlands Championships, and won two individual EIWA crowns for the first time in program history. The Orange & Blue returned most of its frontline grapplers and the Intermat preseason rankings took notice, slotting five Bison in their annual lists.Â
Cade Wirnsberger (149) enters his senior year by dropping down from 157 into the 149-weight class to fill the hole left by the Bower twins' graduation. Intermat ranks the Bison veteran 33rd at 149. Wirnsberger spent several weeks last year ranked at 157. The senior finished 2025-26 with a 14-14 record and a fifth-place finish at EIWAs.Â
Noah Mulvaney (165) looks to take the next step during his senior year into All-America status after finishing top 16 at last year's NCAA Championships. Intermat slots the senior grappler at #15. Mulvaney finished second for the second consecutive year at EIWAs. He led Bucknell in overall wins (27) and dual victories (17) last season. He has an outside shot at 100 career wins, sporting a 68-27 record.Â
Myles Takats (174) is the man to beat at his weight class after taking home the EIWA crown. The 174-pound grappler is ranked #17 by Intermat. He also won the 174-pound crown at the Midlands. Takats made his third straight NCAA Championship appearance, winning a match. He collected 23 wins in 2025-26, sits 71-33 overall in his career, and has a credible shot at 100 victories.Â
Tyler Bienus (184) enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025-26, recording 20 overall wins and 12 wins in duals, earning himself an Intermat ranking of #28. After finishing fifth at the EIWA Championships, the Bison junior made the NCAA Championships as an At-Large and wrestled credibly against two top-notch opponents.Â
Dillon Bechtold (197) shook off early season injuries last year to win an EIWA crown and notch a win in the NCAA Championships. Intermat ranked him #21 - the highest EIWA grappler in the weight class. Seven of his 16 wins in 2025-26 came versus ranked grapplers. He owns a 40-17 record after two seasons. Â
Bucknell starts the 2026-27 season on Nov. 1 at national power Iowa State. The Cyclones finished fourth in the final regular season poll of 2025-26.Â
Cade Wirnsberger (149) enters his senior year by dropping down from 157 into the 149-weight class to fill the hole left by the Bower twins' graduation. Intermat ranks the Bison veteran 33rd at 149. Wirnsberger spent several weeks last year ranked at 157. The senior finished 2025-26 with a 14-14 record and a fifth-place finish at EIWAs.Â
Noah Mulvaney (165) looks to take the next step during his senior year into All-America status after finishing top 16 at last year's NCAA Championships. Intermat slots the senior grappler at #15. Mulvaney finished second for the second consecutive year at EIWAs. He led Bucknell in overall wins (27) and dual victories (17) last season. He has an outside shot at 100 career wins, sporting a 68-27 record.Â
Myles Takats (174) is the man to beat at his weight class after taking home the EIWA crown. The 174-pound grappler is ranked #17 by Intermat. He also won the 174-pound crown at the Midlands. Takats made his third straight NCAA Championship appearance, winning a match. He collected 23 wins in 2025-26, sits 71-33 overall in his career, and has a credible shot at 100 victories.Â
Tyler Bienus (184) enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2025-26, recording 20 overall wins and 12 wins in duals, earning himself an Intermat ranking of #28. After finishing fifth at the EIWA Championships, the Bison junior made the NCAA Championships as an At-Large and wrestled credibly against two top-notch opponents.Â
Dillon Bechtold (197) shook off early season injuries last year to win an EIWA crown and notch a win in the NCAA Championships. Intermat ranked him #21 - the highest EIWA grappler in the weight class. Seven of his 16 wins in 2025-26 came versus ranked grapplers. He owns a 40-17 record after two seasons. Â
Bucknell starts the 2026-27 season on Nov. 1 at national power Iowa State. The Cyclones finished fourth in the final regular season poll of 2025-26.Â
Players Mentioned
197
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
157
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