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Sunday, January 26
Lewisburg, Pa.
2 p.m.

Bucknell University

21
vs
13

Army

Noah Mulvaney Victory Celebration

Bucknell Vanquishes No. 21 Army 21-13 for First Ranked Win in a Decade

1/26/2025 4:05:00 PM | Wrestling

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Army Black Knights won the first and last bouts, but Bucknell conquered seven of the eight matches in-between for its first ranked win in over a decade. The Bison used seven decisions for the 21-13 final on Sunday at Davis Gym. Army (6-2, 3-1 EIWA) was ranked No. 21 in the NWCA Coaches Poll and had six ranked wrestlers, but the Bison rallied multiple times in the third period as part of a 15-0 run. Bucknell (5-6, 3-1 EIWA) won all four duals featuring ranked vs. ranked foes. 

"The guys came out and were very competitive," said head coach Dan Wirnsberger. "We were coming off a hard loss on Friday night and for the guys to respond as they did says a lot about the character of our team and the locker room. We talked about doing whatever it takes. We won the close matches today."

The Bison's last ranked win came in a 25-12 triumph over No. 17 Rider on Jan. 10, 2015. Bucknell's last triumph over Army came on Feb. 12, 2017. The Bison had not defeated a ranked EIWA foe since beating No. 22 Lehigh 18-17 on Nov. 9, 2013.

The Black Knights of the Hudson started the match with No. 20 Charles Farmer's tech fall over Chris Nucifora in the 125-weight division. No. 30 Kurt Phipps (133) edged No. 28 Ethan Berginc, 3-2 via a reversal in the third period. No. 17 Dylan Chappell (141) gave Bucknell a 6-5 lead with a 4-1 decision with a takedown at the final second. Army regained the lead 9-6 with a Trae McDaniel (149) major decision over Braden Bower.  That would be Army's final advantage as the Bison of the Susquehanna tore through the Black Knight defenses with a 15-0 run to win the match. Cade Wirnsberger (157) tied the dual at 9-9 with a 3-1 decision over Dakota Morris. Wirnsberger gained a takedown with 1:22 remaining.  No. 22 Noah Mulvaney (165) won the match of the day with an epic 13-10 sudden victory decision over No. 15 Gunner Filipowicz. The Army grappler led 8-3 entering the final period and looked poised to win. Mulvaney ripped off three straight takedowns including one in overtime to give Bucknell the 12-9 lead and send the Davis Gym crowd into a fever pitch of excitement.  "I am known as that wrestler you can never count out," said Mulvaney. "I might be down going into that third period but I live in the trenches and am going to work my butt to do whatever I needed. Never count me out. I trusted in the Lord that He had me in that overtime period."

Mulvaney has battled injuries all season and has only wrestled in six matches but he hasn't left the setbacks impact his focus. 

"I have been doing a lot of work with our athletic trainer and am finally feeling 100%. I am climbing back up to where I was. if not higher. and I plan to keep bringing the heat and glorifying the Lord."

No. 19 Myles Takats (174) broke into the top 20 nationally with his recent hot streak, and he continued his dominance with another ranked win over No. 32 Dalton Hawkins. Both sides spent the three rounds feeling each other out, and the score was locked at 1-1 as overtime started. Takats wasted little time after a set-piece to win 4-1 via a takedown.  The 184-round match was rated as a tossup, and Logan Deacetis delivered with a crucial win over Jakub Gilfoil extending Bucknell's lead to 18-9. Deacetis trailed 6-2 entering the third period but used a takedown and a nearfall to take the 9-6 lead. He spent the final 20 seconds keeping Gilfoil wrapped up. Bucknell won the match in the 197-weight class with No. 28 Dillon Bechtold's 4-1 decision over No. 30 Wolfgang Frable. Once again, an Orange & Blue grappler won the third period. Bechtold collared Frable in a takedown with 41 seconds remaining sending Bison supporters into a frenzy of delight.  Army salvaged some pride in the 285-weight division when Brady Colbert won an 18-9 major decision over Logan Shepherd. The defeat did not damper the ensuring celebration as Davis Gym rang with the sounds of victory. 

The victory resulted as part of Bucknell outdueling Army in the third round and overtime. Coach Wirnsberger touched upon that decisive factor:

"That is how we train and it is our lifestyle. What you do in the practice room always carries over into the arena. It is a matter of going out there and executing."

The Bison and Coach Wirnsberger are hoping this result can provide a boost into the second half of the schedule. 

"It is all about momentum. We lost four matches on Friday night that we were leading with 30 seconds left. Today, we won those matches. It gives the guys confidence and when they are in that situation a month from now or March, they will remember they were in that position before."

Bucknell heads to Lock Haven (Jan. 30) for the I-80 Romp before hosting EIWA foe Navy (Jan. 31). 

Results
125: #20 Charles Farmer (Army) tech fall over Chris Nucifora (Bucknell), 23-5 (Army 5-0)
133: #30 Kurt Phipps (Bucknell) dec. over #28 Ethan Berginc (Army), 3-2 (Army 5-3)
141: #17 Dylan Chappell (Bucknell) dec. over Braden Basile (Army), 4-1 (Bucknell 6-5)
149: Trae McDaniel (Army) major dec. over Braden Bower (Bucknell), 10-2 (Army 9-6)
157: Cade Wirnsberger (Bucknell) dec. over Dakota Morris (Army), 3-1 (Tied 9-9)
165: #22 Noah Mulvaney (Bucknell) dec. over #15 Gunner Filipowicz (Army), 13-10 SV (Bucknell 12-9)
174: #19 Myles Takats (Bucknell) dec. over #32 Dalton Hawkins (Army), 4-1 SV (Bucknell 15-9)
184: Logan Deacetis (Bucknell) dec. over Jakub Gilfoil (Army), 9-6 (Bucknell 18-9)
197: #28 Dillon Bechtold (Bucknell) dec. over #30 Wolfgang Frable, 4-1 (Bucknell 21-9)
285: Brady Colbert (Army) major dec. over Logan Shepherd (Bucknell), 18-9 (Bucknell 21-13)