Wrestling Erases 15 Point Deficit in 22-21 Win over American

Sunday, February 15

Lewisburg, Pa.

2 p.m.

Bucknell University

American

Photo by: Lauren Medeiros

Wrestling Erases 15 Point Deficit in 22-21 Win over American

2/15/2026 4:19:00 PM | Wrestling

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Bucknell (7-11, 5-3 EIWA) faced a 15-0 deficit after three bouts against American (6-9, 2-4 EIWA) and the Eagles having obtained two consecutive pins were flying high. Senior Riley Bower stepped up on the mat and pulled out a decision on Senior Day to reverse the momentum and start a 22-6 run to edge the visitors. The Bison won five conference duals for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

The bouts were split five-five. Bucknell won three matches on bonus points (two technical falls and one pin). American won two matches on bonus points (two pins).

"Super proud of our team today and how they showed determination when our backs were against the wall," said Bucknell head coach Dan Wirnsberger. "They competed not just for themselves but did so for the program and our senior class. We can continue to build on this win and our best wrestling is yet to come."

Bucknell badly needed a win when Bower's name was called for the 149-pound class. The veteran, having been sidelined due to injury, returned to the mat and celebrated his Senior Day in style with a 5-3 decision. He earned the decisive takedown in the third period and held on for the win.

Cade Wirnsberger (157) broke his eighth match losing streak with a 4-2 decision over Kaden Milheim. The bout featured two local boys with Wirnsberger from Watsontown and Milheim from Muncy. The two foes fought a tightly contested bout with Wirnsberger grabbing a takedown with 44 seconds left.

Bucknell found a groove and continued to roll. No. 20 Noah Mulvaney (165) was next and the junior wrestler wasted no time seeking bonus points. He immediately attacked Gavin Cohen, keeping the Eagle on his back wing. He picked up two takedowns and then hunted big game: a pin. Mulvaney found the prize with a few seconds remaining on the first period clock. American's deficit had dwindled from 15-0 to 15-12.

THE MAIN MAN'S PIN!

Watch: https://t.co/HlrmnCux7X @ESPNPlus #rayBucknell | #WinFromWithin pic.twitter.com/9cXdhEsZ97
— Bucknell Wrestling (@Bucknell_WRST) February 15, 2026

No. 19 Myles Takats (174) gave Bucknell its first lead with a tech fall win over Hunter Hohman. The aggressive Bison collected five takedowns and two escape points over his hapless foe. The Orange & Blue led 17-15 and Davis Gym roared in approval.

American regained the advantage in the dual's only ranked match. No. 31 Tyler Bienus challenged No. 25 Caleb Campos in the dual's only ranked confrontation. The American wrestler won 8-2 and the Eagles led 18-17.

No. 28 Dillon Bechtold ended that situation. The sophomore faced Teage Calvin and Bechtold quickly made mincemeat of his foe, racking up 12 points in the first period and rolling to the 19-4 tech fall. The bout resembled a cat playing with a mouse. The five points proved crucial putting Bucknell up 22-18.

Bechtold dropped the hammer!

Watch: https://t.co/HlrmnCux7X @ESPNPlus #rayBucknell | #WinFromWithin pic.twitter.com/VzIXLOuRou
— Bucknell Wrestling (@Bucknell_WRST) February 15, 2026

The final bout featured No. 29 Lucas Lawler (285) against nearby Mifflinburg's favorite son Emmanuel Ulrich. A healthy contingent of his fan club was in the stands. Ulrich started strong and led 5-0. A major decision would tie the bout and American would have won on criteria. Lawler refused to allow such a heartbreaker. Despite being called for stall points, he grabbed a takedown, and while he lost 7-4, the freshman prevented a dual-losing major decision.

The Eagles flew to the 15-0 lead with a decision in the 125-pound weight and back-to-back pins in 133 and 141. Dylan Chappell (141) did not wrestle for Bucknell due to illness.

Bucknell celebrated eight seniors: Antonio Amelio, Mikey Bartush, Braden Bower, Riley Bower, Dylan Chappell, Riley Godek, Stephen Lukas, and Logan Shephard.

The Bison complete regular season play next weekend against Columbia and Bloomsburg.

RESULTS
125: JJ Peace (American) dec. over Kade Davidheiser (BU), 8-3 (AU 3-0)
133: Raymond Lopez (American) fall over No. 33 Bryce Manera (BU), 4:45 (AU 9-0)
141: Jack Maida (American) fall over Vinnie D'Alessandro (BU), 4:03 (AU 15-0)
149: Riley Bower (BU) dec. over Gage Owen (American), 5-3 (AU 15-3)
157: Cade Wirnsberger (BU) dec. over Kaden Milheim (American), 4-2 (AU 15-6)
165: No. 20 Noah Mulvaney (BU) fall over Gavin Cohen (American), 2:58 (AU 15-12)
174: No. 19 Myles Takats (BU) tech fall over Hunter Hohman (American), 17-2, 6:09 (BU 17-15)
184: No. 25 Caleb Campos (American) dec. over No. 31 Tyler Bienus (BU), 8-2 (AU 18-17)
197: No. 28 Dillon Bechtold (BU) tech fall over Teage Calvin (American), 19-4, 3:46 (BU 22-18)
285: Emmanuel Ulrich (American) dec. over No. 29 Lucas Lawler (BU), 7-4 (BU 22-21)