Wrestling Heads to the Michigan State Open - Bucknell University Athletics

Saturday, November 7

East Lansing, Mi.

All Day

Bucknell University

Michigan State Open

Photo by: Lauren Medeiros

11/5/2026 9:42:00 AM | Wrestling

2026 Michigan State Open
Teams: Arizona State, Army, Bucknell, Central Michigan, Cumberlands, Edinboro, Findlay, Grand Valley, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Kent State, Lake Erie College, Michigan, Michigan State, Northern Illinois, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, VMI, West Virginia, Wisconsin
When: Nov. 7 (All Day)
Where: Jenison Field House – East Lansing, Mich.
Live Results: FloWrestling
Live Stream: FloWrestling
Follow on X: @Bucknell_WRST

Projected Bucknell Lineup
125 - Kade Davidheiser, Chris Nucifora, Jackson Heslin
133 - Blue Stiffler, Jackson Refsnider, Meyer Rosen
141 - Brayden Sigle, Bryce Manera
149 - #33 Cade Wirnsberger
157 - Ryan Lawler, Kaden Schaefer
165 - #13 Noah Mulvaney
174 - Shane McFillin
184 - #29 Tyler Bienus
197 - #21 Dillon Bechtold
285 - Lucas Lawler

Rankings Intermat

Bucknell at a Glance

• Bucknell travels to its major tournament of the 2026-27 when the Bison head to head coach Dan Wirnsberger's alma mater for the Michigan State Open. The Orange & Blue will compete at the Cliff Keen Invitational and Southern Scuffle later in the calendar.
• 60% of the Bison lineup is ranked by various sources. Noah Mulvaney (165) ranks the highest at #11 by FloWrestling and the College Wrestling Report after his pinning of Iowa State's Connor Euton, who ranked #13. Intermat slots Myles Takats (174) #17. The College Wrestling Report has Dillon Bechtold (197) at #15. Tyler Bienus (184) sits #29 in Intermat's latest rankings. Cade Wirnsberger moved down to 149 for 2026-27 and is #33 in Intermat's list. The College Wrestling Report has Lucas Lawler (285) at #33.
• The Bison lineup returned continuity at the upper weights with all five starters returning: Mulvaney (165), Takats (174), Bienus (184), Bechtold (197), and Lawler (285). The shake-up occurred in the lower weights as graduation removed Dylan Chappell (141) - 111 career wins and three-time EIWA runner-up - and the Bower brothers from the 149-pound equation. Bucknell responded by dropping Cade Wirnsberger from 157 to 149, moving Bryce Manera from 133 to 141, installing Blue Stiffler at 133, and inserting two rookies Jackson Heslin (125) and Ryan Lawler (157) into the starting lineup.
• Bucknell brought in another highly-regarded recruiting class and the evidence shows with two rookies, Heslin and Ryan Lawler, making the starting lineup. Several other newcomers have impressed in the training room.
• Head coach Dan Wirnsberger is in his 21st season with the Bison and his 22nd year leading the program since its revival in 2005.

A Look Back at the Iowa State Dual

• Bucknell won three of the ten bouts en route to a 29-12 defeat to #9 Iowa State. Mulvaney's pin headlined the evening while Bechtold and Bienus picked up two overtime wins.
• Mulvaney was down 10-4 in his bout when he recorded a takedown and then caught Euton in a cradle for the pin. His six points put Bucknell on the board and broke up a 20-0 Cyclone run.
• Bienus and Sawyer Bartelt headed to overtime tied at 1-1 on escape points. The Bison wrestler repeatedly stonewalled his opponent's best effort before shooting for the leg and nabbing the winning takedown.
• Bechtold faced a tenacious unranked opponent looking for a big-time win in Brayden Thompson. The two wrestlers traded escape points before heading into overtime. Bechtold emulated Bienus and found the necessary takedown for the 4-1 win.
• Bucknell trailed immediately as the Cyclones used their considerable advantage in the lower weights to build a 20-0 lead.
• Takats was forced to medically withdraw from his bout against Tate Naaktgeboren.
• The dual finished up with the heavyweight bout of Lucas Lawler versus No. 15 Coby Merrill. Lawler, in his first action since last year's Columbia dual, held his own against the esteemed freshman, losing by decision.

Scouting Michigan State Open/Series History

• The Michigan State Open boasts an impressive array of elite programs and regional powerhouses. The competition fits with Coach Wirnsberger's criteria of challenging his wrestlers and providing the opportunity for massive resume boosters.
• The tournament will be a double elimination event. No team scores will be kept. Maximum of 6 matches will be enforced per NCAA rules.
• NCAA rules will be followed. Video Review will not be used.
• Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for high school and younger.
• Michigan State opens competition on Saturday.
• The Bison and Spartans have clashed five times in duals with MSU holding a 4-1 edge. Bucknell has never competed at the Michigan State Open.

A Look Ahead

• Bucknell resumes dual competition on Nov. 15 when the Bison began EIWA play versus LIU. Then the Orange & Blue travel to Lock Haven later that night for the 27th edition of the Susquehanna Showdown, which has grown into one of the fiercest regional rivalries in collegiate wrestling.