Thursday, January 30
Lock Haven, Pa.
7 p.m.
Bucknell University
15
at
17
Lock Haven
Kurt Phipps's 100th Career Win Not Enough as Lock Haven Edges Bucknell 17-15
1/30/2025 8:53:00 PM | Wrestling
LOCK HAVEN, Pa.- Kurt Phipps collected his 100th career win but Bucknell fell 17-15 to local rival Lock Haven in the Susquehanna Showdown. The Bison battled back from 14-3 to take a 15-14 lead but the Bald Eagles won the final bout to seize the victory in front of a packed Thomas Fieldhouse.
Bucknell (5-7) and Lock Haven (10-5) both notched five wins. However, the Bald Eagles gained two major decisions while all of Bucknell's wins were decisions. The two extra points proved decisive.
Kurt Phipps's (133) 100th victory came in a climatic duel against No. 16 Anthony Noto. The Bucknell grappler used a late takedown for the 4-1 decision. His match with Noto, a two-time All-American, enraptured the packed Thomas Fieldhouse crowd as both wrestlers feinted and parried looking for the slightest opening.
Phipps became the 11th Bison to record 100 career wins and the first since Tyler Smith in 2018.
"I feel like it is a nice accomplishment as it acknowledges all the time and effort that I have put into my career," said Phipps. "It will give me momentum and hopefully the team as we look to put Bucknell on the map."
Anthony Noto was no typical opponent. He had the home mat advantage, was the 2023-24 MAC Wrestler of the Year, and finished third at the 2023-24 NCAA Championships. Phipps understands the magnitude of his victory:
"The victory was extra satisfying because he had such accolades. Those are the type of matches that I train for."
Smith is now an assistant coach with the Bison heeding the words of Bear Bryant who famously said, "And when Momma calls, you just have to come running." He works specifically with Phipps and the connection has been fruitful for the Orange & Blue. He offered his thoughts:
"Kurt was a guy that I have known for years. We are from the same area and attended the same wrestling club. It has been great to work with him. He never complains. He is always doing what it is necessary to be the best person and wrestler."
The Bison went 3-1 in ranked duals with the only loss occurring when No. 17 Wyatt Henson achieved a 9-1 major decision over No. 15 Dylan Chappell in the 141-pound class. The bout was tied at 1-1 until Henson combined a takedown and a near fall for the massive result.
Lock Haven won the first four of out five matches taking a 6-4 win in the 125-weight class when Branden Wentzel over Chris Nucifora, the mentioned 141-pound clash, a 13-3 major decision in the 149-pound bout when No. 32 Lucas Kapusta defeated Braden Bower, and a narrow 2-0 loss when Nick Stampoulos beat Cade Wirnsberger (157).
The Bald Eagles led 14-3 and their nest was rocking. The Bison were tenacious and rattled off four straight wins to take the 15-14 lead.
Noah Mulvaney, fully healthy and coming off a huge win against Army's No. 15 Gunner Filipowicz, battled Caden Dobbins for a 3-1 decision in the 165-pound bout.
No. 19 Myles Takats (174) brought home victory for Bucknell's second ranked dual win defeating No. 31 Avery Bassett, 6-3. Takats won via a massive third round takedown.
Logan Deacetis (184) recorded the upset of the night by upending No. 23 Colin Fegley with a 9-3 decision. The match was 4-3 for the Bison wrestler entering the final round when Deacetis used an escape, a takedown, and riding time to seal the win.
The 197-pound fight featured two of the nation's most exciting wrestlers in No. 19 Dillon Bechtold and No. 27 Tucker Hogan. The two shooting stars did not disappoint providing an evenly matched competition. Bechtold suffered a reversal but obtained an escape point to tie it at 2-2. He then unleashed a clutch takedown for the 5-2 win and moved Bucknell ahead 15-14.
The 285-pound bout was for all the proverbial marbles. Lock Haven sent No. 17 Gavin Hoffman to the mat while Bucknell tapped Nolan Springer into the fray. Springer fought valiantly against the fifth-year transfer from Ohio State. The Montoursville native and 2022 All-American slowly wore down and suffocated Springer's defenses going 5-0 in the final round for the 8-1 dual win and the 17-15 match win.
The Bison will undergo a quick turnaround and host Navy tomorrow tonight at 6 p.m. in Davis Gym. Navy sits at 3-0 in the EIWA while Bucknell is 3-1. The Orange & Blue will attempt to defeat Army & Navy for the first time ever in the same season.
RESULTS
125: Branden Wentzel (Lock Haven) dec. Chris Nucifora (Bucknell) 6-4 / Lock Haven 3-0
133: #30 Kurt Phipps (Bucknell) dec. #16 Anthony Noto (Lock Haven) 4-1 / Tied 3-3
141: #17 Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) major dec. #15 Dylan Chappell (Bucknell) 9-1 / Lock Haven 7-3
149: #32 Lucas Kapusta (Lock Haven) major dec. Braden Bower (Bucknell) 13-3 / Lock Haven 11-3
157: Nick Stampoulos (Lock Haven) dec. Cade Wirnsberger (Bucknell) 2-0 / Lock Haven 14-3
165: Noah Mulvaney (Bucknell) dec. Caden Dobbins (Lock Haven) 3-1 / Lock Haven 14-6
174: #19 Myles Takats (Bucknell) dec. #31 Avery Bassett (Lock Haven) 6-3 / Lock Haven 14-9
184: Logan Deacetis (Bucknell) dec. #23 Colin Fegley (Lock Haven) 9-3 / Lock Haven 14-12
197: #19 Dillon Bechtold (Bucknell) dec. #27 Tucker Hogan (Lock Haven) 5-2 / Bucknell 15-14
285: #17 Gavin Hoffman (Lock Haven) dec. Nolan Springer (Bucknell) 8-1 / Lock Haven 17-15
Bucknell (5-7) and Lock Haven (10-5) both notched five wins. However, the Bald Eagles gained two major decisions while all of Bucknell's wins were decisions. The two extra points proved decisive.
Kurt Phipps's (133) 100th victory came in a climatic duel against No. 16 Anthony Noto. The Bucknell grappler used a late takedown for the 4-1 decision. His match with Noto, a two-time All-American, enraptured the packed Thomas Fieldhouse crowd as both wrestlers feinted and parried looking for the slightest opening.
"I am really excited and happy for Kurt," said head coach Dan Wirnsberger. "The way he came into the hostile environment against a two-time All-American and prevailed. We knew it would come down to who could get the leg. We are happy for Kurt and really proud of him. He is coming on strong as we enter February and March and that is what you want to do. He is a lifestyle guy in and out of the arena and you always want to cheer for those guys."100!!
— Bucknell Wrestling (@Bucknell_WRST) January 31, 2025
Kurt Phipps wins his 100th career match with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over No. 16 Anthony Noto!
He becomes just the 11th Bison to notch the century mark! @EIWAwrestling #rayBucknell | #OurWay pic.twitter.com/1OTZFne1xQ
Phipps became the 11th Bison to record 100 career wins and the first since Tyler Smith in 2018.
"I feel like it is a nice accomplishment as it acknowledges all the time and effort that I have put into my career," said Phipps. "It will give me momentum and hopefully the team as we look to put Bucknell on the map."
Anthony Noto was no typical opponent. He had the home mat advantage, was the 2023-24 MAC Wrestler of the Year, and finished third at the 2023-24 NCAA Championships. Phipps understands the magnitude of his victory:
"The victory was extra satisfying because he had such accolades. Those are the type of matches that I train for."
Smith is now an assistant coach with the Bison heeding the words of Bear Bryant who famously said, "And when Momma calls, you just have to come running." He works specifically with Phipps and the connection has been fruitful for the Orange & Blue. He offered his thoughts:
"Kurt was a guy that I have known for years. We are from the same area and attended the same wrestling club. It has been great to work with him. He never complains. He is always doing what it is necessary to be the best person and wrestler."
The Bison went 3-1 in ranked duals with the only loss occurring when No. 17 Wyatt Henson achieved a 9-1 major decision over No. 15 Dylan Chappell in the 141-pound class. The bout was tied at 1-1 until Henson combined a takedown and a near fall for the massive result.
Lock Haven won the first four of out five matches taking a 6-4 win in the 125-weight class when Branden Wentzel over Chris Nucifora, the mentioned 141-pound clash, a 13-3 major decision in the 149-pound bout when No. 32 Lucas Kapusta defeated Braden Bower, and a narrow 2-0 loss when Nick Stampoulos beat Cade Wirnsberger (157).
The Bald Eagles led 14-3 and their nest was rocking. The Bison were tenacious and rattled off four straight wins to take the 15-14 lead.
Noah Mulvaney, fully healthy and coming off a huge win against Army's No. 15 Gunner Filipowicz, battled Caden Dobbins for a 3-1 decision in the 165-pound bout.
No. 19 Myles Takats (174) brought home victory for Bucknell's second ranked dual win defeating No. 31 Avery Bassett, 6-3. Takats won via a massive third round takedown.
Logan Deacetis (184) recorded the upset of the night by upending No. 23 Colin Fegley with a 9-3 decision. The match was 4-3 for the Bison wrestler entering the final round when Deacetis used an escape, a takedown, and riding time to seal the win.
The 197-pound fight featured two of the nation's most exciting wrestlers in No. 19 Dillon Bechtold and No. 27 Tucker Hogan. The two shooting stars did not disappoint providing an evenly matched competition. Bechtold suffered a reversal but obtained an escape point to tie it at 2-2. He then unleashed a clutch takedown for the 5-2 win and moved Bucknell ahead 15-14.
The 285-pound bout was for all the proverbial marbles. Lock Haven sent No. 17 Gavin Hoffman to the mat while Bucknell tapped Nolan Springer into the fray. Springer fought valiantly against the fifth-year transfer from Ohio State. The Montoursville native and 2022 All-American slowly wore down and suffocated Springer's defenses going 5-0 in the final round for the 8-1 dual win and the 17-15 match win.
The Bison will undergo a quick turnaround and host Navy tomorrow tonight at 6 p.m. in Davis Gym. Navy sits at 3-0 in the EIWA while Bucknell is 3-1. The Orange & Blue will attempt to defeat Army & Navy for the first time ever in the same season.
RESULTS
125: Branden Wentzel (Lock Haven) dec. Chris Nucifora (Bucknell) 6-4 / Lock Haven 3-0
133: #30 Kurt Phipps (Bucknell) dec. #16 Anthony Noto (Lock Haven) 4-1 / Tied 3-3
141: #17 Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) major dec. #15 Dylan Chappell (Bucknell) 9-1 / Lock Haven 7-3
149: #32 Lucas Kapusta (Lock Haven) major dec. Braden Bower (Bucknell) 13-3 / Lock Haven 11-3
157: Nick Stampoulos (Lock Haven) dec. Cade Wirnsberger (Bucknell) 2-0 / Lock Haven 14-3
165: Noah Mulvaney (Bucknell) dec. Caden Dobbins (Lock Haven) 3-1 / Lock Haven 14-6
174: #19 Myles Takats (Bucknell) dec. #31 Avery Bassett (Lock Haven) 6-3 / Lock Haven 14-9
184: Logan Deacetis (Bucknell) dec. #23 Colin Fegley (Lock Haven) 9-3 / Lock Haven 14-12
197: #19 Dillon Bechtold (Bucknell) dec. #27 Tucker Hogan (Lock Haven) 5-2 / Bucknell 15-14
285: #17 Gavin Hoffman (Lock Haven) dec. Nolan Springer (Bucknell) 8-1 / Lock Haven 17-15