Wrestling Edged 19-18 by Navy

Sunday, February 8

Annapolis, Md.

2 p.m.

Bucknell University

Navy

Photo by: Steven Schoenfelder

2/8/2026 3:30:00 PM | Wrestling

ANNAPOLIS, Md.- Navy (6-4, 3-1 EIWA) prevailed 19-18 over Bucknell (6-10, 4-2 EIWA) in a see-saw affair that featured two ties and six lead changes on Super Bowl Sunday in Annapolis. The two squads sent out freshmen heavyweights in the winner-take-all bout and the Midshipmen's No. 14 Spencer Lanosga won the 2-0 decision over No. 30 Lucas Lawler to give Navy its 24th straight win over the Orange & Blue. Bucknell fell 0-6 in winner-take-all situations in 2025-26 duals.

The dual contained five ranked matches and the bouts were not disappointing. The headlining match entering the dual resided in the 174-pound class. No. 21 Myles Takats faced a daunting assignment in No. 9 Danny Wask. The Bison grappler fell behind 3-1 but rallied for a takedown. Navy challenged the call but replay upheld the decision. Wask, displaying his high ranking, struck for a takedown, but Takats deftly maneuvered for an escape point, tying the bout at 6-6 and sending the action into sudden victory.

The first sudden victory period passed without points. Both wrestlers proved equal to each other's feints and movements. Wask gained a reversal in the second overtime period but Takats immediately earned his own and evened the score. As time melted away, the combatants realized Takats' earlier riding time would prove decisive. Wask tried for the takedown but could not penetrate Takats' defenses and the Bison wrestler earned a signature win and gave Bucknell the 13-12 lead.

The heavyweight carried significant gravitas. Bucknell entered the bout leading 18-16 but the score was essentially tied with the dual's outcome riding on the result. Lawler, outweighed by his Naval foe, fought valiantly and almost pulled off a leg sweep but the Midshipman, showcasing surprising footwork, earned an escape point. To start the third period, Lawler chose the bottom seeking to equalize the match on an escape point. The usually correct decision proved fatal. Lanosga pressed him to the mat and rode out the two minutes for the 2-0 decision and dual win.

The first bouts at 125 and 133 were lightning fast, featuring a pin for each side. Navy's Andrew Binni trapped Kade Davidheiser (125) while Bucknell's Bryce Manera (133) won his first ranked win by capturing No. 30 Brendan Ferretti and tying the score at 6-6.

The 141-pound class featured the match's first ranked bout. No. 30 Dylan Chappell faced No. 32 Caedyn Ricciardi. The Midshipman won a 13-7 decision, restoring Navy's lead.

Bucknell tied the dual again in the 149-pound bout when Braden Bower ruined team captain Kaeden Smith's Senior Day with a late three period takedown.

Navy reclaimed the lead and gained a critical bonus point when No. 32 Jonathan Ley used three takedowns to defeat Cade Wirnsberger (157), in an 11-1 major decision.

No. 21 Noah Mulvaney (165) arose to turn the tide. He yielded his traditional takedown and went to work against No. 31 Dylan Elmore. As usual, Mulvaney unleashed a clutch takedown in the final period to unlock the win.

After Takats' epic decision gave Bucknell the 15-13 lead, the Orange & Blue were in a position where if No. 31 Tyler Bienus (184) and No. 27 Dillon Bechtold (197) could win their bouts, the heavyweight match would be rendered inconsequential to the outcome. Bienus' streak of six wins ended in a 5-1 decision to Danny Williams.

Bechtold reclaimed the 18-16 lead for Bucknell with a 2-0 decision over No. 30 Zyan Hall. The Bison sophomore controlled the bout and rode out Hall for the win, setting the climatic showdown.

Bucknell challenges rival Lehigh next Saturday in the Keystone Clash.

RESULTS
125: Andrew Binni (Navy) fall over Kade Davidheiser (BU), 2:56 (Navy 6-0)
133: Bryce Manera (BU) fall over No. 30 Brendan Ferretti, 1:05 (Tied 6-6)
141: No. 32 Caedyn Ricciardi (Navy) dec. over No. 30 Dylan Chappell (BU), 13-7 (Navy 9-6)
149: Braden Bower (BU) dec. over Kaeden Smith (Navy), 3-1 (Tied 9-9)
157: No. 32 Jonathan Ley (Navy) major dec. over Cade Wirnsberger (BU), 11-1 (Navy 13-9)
165: No. 21 Noah Mulvaney (BU) dec. over No. 31 Dylan Elmore (Navy), 5-4 (Navy 13-12)
174: No. 21 Myles Takats (BU) dec. over No. 9 Danny Wask (Navy), TB-2 9-8 (Bucknell 15-13)
184: Danny Williams (Navy) dec. over No. 31 Tyler Bienus (BU), 5-1 (Navy 16-15)
197: No. 27 Dillon Bechtold (Bucknell) dec. over No. 30 Zyan Hall (Navy), 2-0 (Bucknell 18-16)
285: No. 14 Spencer Lanosga (Navy) dec. over No. 30 Lucas Lawler (BU), 2-0 (Navy 19-16)