CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Senior Lukus Stricker, juniors Michael Jaffe and Trevor Tarsi, and first-year Jeffrey Crooks all earned individual wins, but Harvard University wrestling fell to Bucknell University, 20-12, in its home opener on Friday night at the Malkin Center as the Crimson competed at home for the first time in over 700 days.
 
Taking part in its first dual meet of the season and first home competition since Feb. 1, 2020 – a span of 713 days – the Crimson (0-1, 0-1 EIWA) won three straight bouts to take a 9-6 lead in the team score midway through the match before the visiting Bison (7-2, 1-0 EIWA) captured four of the contest's final five matchups.
 
Jaffe, Stricker, Tarsi, and Crooks all picked up victories via decision at 141, 149, 157, and 285 pounds respectively as Harvard competed in its first dual meet since Feb. 22, 2020 – a span of 692 days. Stricker tallied his 10^th win of the season with his victory.

Harvard Highlights

• Junior Michael Jaffe posted Harvard's first win of the day with a 6-1 decision over Bucknell's Noah Levett at 141 pounds as Jaffe notched his sixth win of the season. Jaffe used a 4-point near fall in the third period to seal the victory.
• Senior Lukus Stricker followed with an 8-5 decision over Kolby DePron at 149 pounds. Stricker registered a reversal, 4-point near fall, and take down in the second period on his way to the win. He improved to 10-7 on the season.
• Junior Trevor Tarsi made it three wins in a row for the Crimson behind a 5-3 decision over Nick Delp at 157 pounds. Tarsi notched a takedown in each of the first and third periods en route to his sixth win of the year.
• First-year Jeffrey Crooks closed the dual with a 3-2 win over the Bison's Luke Niemeyer at 285 pounds. Crooks scored a takedown in the second period and an escape in the third frame to gain separation. 

Bucknell 20, Harvard 12

125: Brandon Seidman (B) def. Beau Bayless (H), Dec. 5-2 (Bucknell 3-0)
133: Kurt Phipps (B) def. Dillon Murphy (H), Dec. 6-4 (Bucknell 6-0)
141: Michael Jaffe (H) def. Noah Levett (B), Dec. 6-1 (Bucknell 6-3)
149: Lukus Stricker (H) def. Kolby DePron (B), Dec. 8-5 (Tied 6-6)
157: Trevor Tarsi (H) def. Nick Delp (B), Dec. 5-3 (Harvard 9-6)
165: No. 18 Zach Hartman (B) def. Alex Whitworth (H), MD 10-2 (Bucknell 10-9)
174: Sam Barnes (B) def. Mike Doggett (H), Dec. 5-0 (Bucknell 13-9)
184: Logan Deacetis (B) def. Luke Rada (H), MD 10-2 (Bucknell 17-9)
197: Mason McCready (B) def. Nick Marcenelle (H), Dec. 6-3 (Bucknell 20-9)
285: Jeffrey Crooks (H) def. Luke Niemeyer (B), Dec. 3-2 (Bucknell 20-12)

Next Up

Harvard hosts Sacred Heart tomorrow – Saturday, Jan. 15 – at 3:00 p.m. (ESPN+) at the Malkin Athletic Center.