Bucknell Deals Drexel Its First Conference Defeat in 21-17 Victory

Saturday, February 7

Philadelphia, Pa.

6 p.m.

Bucknell University

Drexel

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

Bucknell Deals Drexel Its First Conference Defeat in 21-17 Victory

2/7/2026 9:03:00 PM | Wrestling

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.- Trailing 11-6 after five bouts, Bucknell needed its ranked wrestlers to step up. All four grapplers, starting with No. 21 Noah Mulvaney, answered the summons, winning four straight bouts, to unlock a 21-17 victory over the Drexel Dragons and slay their previously blemish free EIWA record. The Bison moved to 6-9 overall and 4-1 in EIWA action. Drexel fell to 12-4 overall and 4-1 in conference action.

The Bison won six out of the ten bouts and scored bonus points in two of the wins. The bonus points proved crucial as the Dragons scored a tech fall and a pin during the proceedings.

"Great team win tonight," said head coach Dan Wirnsberger. "Big win for Bryce Manera to get us started and the bigs continued to perform well. Proud of this group and their effort."

Mulvaney (165) entered the Dragons' lair aware of the 11-6 deficit and the need to halt Drexel's momentum. The stoic wrestler pulled out a 6-3 decision over Cody Walsh to springboard the Bison. Mulvaney became the first Bison to hit the 20-win mark this season and improved to 14-1 in duals.

As he so often does, No. 21 Myles Takats (174) followed Mulvaney's victory with another triumph. The junior wrestler batted around Dom Findora in a 18-5 major decision, giving Bucknell a 13-11 lead.

No. 31 Tyler Bienus has become Bucknell's breakout star of the 2025-26 campaign. He earned crucial bonus points with a 16-1 tech fall over Ethan Wilson, padding the advantage to 18-11. Bienus is 5-0 in EIWA duals.

No. 27 Dillon Bechtold (197) guaranteed the win with a 5-4 decision over Ibrahim Ameer. The Bison grappler continually prodded Ameer into committing stall calls and the refs finally called the decisive point-awarding stall with seconds remaining in the third period.

Bryce Manera (133) delivered a solid 12-7 decision to tie the dual after Oumar Tounkaka defeated Kade Davidheiser in the opening 125-pound bout.

No. 30 Dylan Chappell (141) faced off frequent foe Jordan Soriano and scratched out a 2-0 decision, giving Bucknell an early 8-6 lead.

That lead disappeared after Deon Pleasant earned a tech fall over Kaden Schaefer (149) and Luke Nichter edged Cade Wirnsberger (157) in a 2-1 decision.

Drexel salvaged some pride in the final bout when No. 24 Nate Schon pinned No. 30 Lucas Lawler (285).

The Bison stay on the road tomorrow to face conference foe Navy at 2 p.m. The dual will be streamed on YouTube.

RESULTS
125: Oumar Tounkaka (Drexel) dec. over Kade Davidheiser (BU), 14-7 (Drexel 3-0)
133: Bryce Manera (BU) dec. over Kyle Waterman (Drexel), 12-7 (Tied 3-3)
141: No. 30 Dylan Chappell (BU) dec. over Jordan Soriano (Drexel), 2-0 (Bucknell 6-3)
149: Deon Pleasant (Drexel) tech fall over Kaden Schaefer (BU), 19-4, 7:00 (Drexel 8-6)
157: Luke Nichter (Drexel) dec. over Cade Wirnsberger (BU), 2-1 (Drexel 11-6)
165: No. 21 Noah Mulvaney (BU) dec. over Cody Walsh (Drexel), 6-3 (Drexel 11-9)
174: No. 21 Myles Takats (BU) major dec. over Dom Findora (Drexel), 18-5 (Bucknell 13-11)
184: No. 31 Tyler Bienus (BU) tech fall over Ethan Wilson (Drexel), 16-1, 7:00 (Bucknell 18-11)
197: No. 27 Dillon Bechtold (BU) dec. over Ibrahim Ameer (Drexel), 5-4 (Bucknell 21-11)
285: No. 24 Nate Schon (Drexel) fall over No. 30 Lucas Lawler (Bucknell), 5:57 (Bucknell 21-17)