Bucknell Duals a Success On Many Levels

Lewisburg, PA- When newly named Head Coach, Dan Wirnsberger sat down with Bucknell benefactor Bill Graham four years ago, this is what they had in mind.

“Bill Graham said to me he’d love to see Iowa or Oklahoma State come in here in four or five years,” Wirnsberger remembered. “I laughed. I said we’d never be ready. But here we are.”

On Friday, the Bison Wrestling squad took another step in the right direction of the resurrection of program as they hosted perennial power Iowa and EIWA foe Rutgers in their Sojka Pavilion, an arena ideally suited for an intimate wrestling setting. 2,200 fans showed up to see the action. In the first match, Bucknell fell convincingly, 29-7 against two-time defending NCAA Champion Hawks, but both Wirnsberger and Iowa Head Coach Tom Brands were encouraged by the Bisons’ performance.

“They’re getting their kind of guys; ones that come in and really compete,” Brands said. “Their Assistant Coach, Hoffman, he’s the kind of guy I would hire. Him and Wirnsberger are bringing kids into their program that will fight.”

After beating Bucknell, Iowa would go on to handle Rutgers, 33-9, before the nightcap between EIWA opponents Bucknell and Rutgers.

“There was talk that Rutgers could come in here and beat us,” Wirnsberger said. “Having Iowa come in here is great for the wrestling community, great for central Pennsylvania wrestling, and great for our guys to compete against such high-level opponents. But I made a point in our team meeting yesterday, that this (Rutgers) would be our emphasis. It’s important to get a league win in a conference as tough as ours.”

Rutgers would take 2 of the first 3 bouts before Kevin LeValley’s technical fall started a run of six straight Bison wins. In the end, Bucknell had a 26-12 victory and moved to 2-0 in EIWA duals.

Audio of Wirnsberger post-match press conference: wirnsy

Tri-Meet Results:

FINAL MATCH SCORE: Iowa 29, Bucknell 7
125: No. 17 Matt McDonough (I) tech. fall Derrik Russell (B), 20-4 (7:00)
133: No. 4 Daniel Dennis (I) maj. dec. No. 13 David Marble (B), 14-5
141: No. 8 Dan LeClere (I) dec. Zac Hancock (B), 9-5
149: No. 1 Brent Metcalf (I) dec. No. 13 Kevin LeValley (B), 3-2
157: Brantley Hooks (B) dec. Matt Ballweg (I), 6-1
165: No. 6 Andy Rendos (B) maj. dec. Aaron Janssen (I), 10-2
174: No. 3 Jay Borschel (I) maj. dec. No. 9 Shane Riccio (B), 10-1
184: No. 2 Phillip Keddy (I) maj. dec. Rob Waltko (B), 12-4
197: No. 10 Chad Beatty (I) dec. Jay Hahn (B), 11-5
285: Jordan Johnson (I) dec. Joe McMullan (B), 7-3

FINAL MATCH SCORE: Iowa 33, Rutgers 9
125: No. 17 Matt McDonough (I) pinned Vinny Dellafave (R), 3:39
133: No. 4 Daniel Dennis (I) tech. fall Billy Ashnault (R), 21-5 (7:00)
141: No. 8 Dan LeClere (I) dec. No. 20 Trevor Melde (R), 7-3
149: No. 1 Brent Metcalf (I) tech. fall Kellen Bradley (R), 20-5 (6:27)
157: Aaron Janssen (I) dec. Braden Turner (R), 2-0
165: Gregory Zannetti (R) dec. Jake Kerr (I), 8-6 (OT)
174: No. 3 Jay Borschel (I) maj. dec. Daniel Rinaldi (R), 16-3
184: Grant Gambrall (I) maj. dec. Jesse Boyden (R), 11-3
197: No. 10 Chad Beatty (I) dec. No. 17 Lamar Brown (R), 9-3
285: No. 10 Dominick Russo (R) pinned Jordan Johnson (I), 1:24

FINAL MATCH SCORE: Iowa 33, Rutgers 9
125: Derrik Russell (B) dec Joey Langel (R) 5-0
133: Billy Ashnault (R) dec No. 13 David Marble (B) 8-3
141: No. 20 Trevor Melde (R) dec Zac Hancock (B) 7-0
149: No. 13 Kevin LaValley (B) tech. fall Kellen Bradley (R), 15-0 (5:21)
157: Brantley Hooks (B) dec. Braden Turner (R), 6-2
165: No. 6 Andy Rendos pinned Gregory Zannetti (R) :58
174: No. 9 Shane Riccio (B) dec. Daniel Rinaldi (R), 6-2
184: David Thompson (B) dec. Dan Seidenberg (R), 5-4
197: Jay Hahn (B) dec. No. 17 Lamar Brown (R), 9-2
285: No. 10 Dominick Russo (R) pinned Conor Sweeney (B) 1:52

By Willie Saylor, Editor