nitlion
Masters Student
Posts: 413
Reg: 06-18-06
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07-26-17 06:51 AM - Post#231291
I know that this board is pretty much a BB and some football, I appreciate this fact, however, the Bucknell wrestling schedule is out and it is going to be a challenge. In addition to the regular EIWA school Lehigh at home , Oklahoma State and Pitt come to Lewisburg in Dec, West Virginia later in the season, a really tough road schedule and on Nov. 12, Penn State at Rec Hall, St. College, Pa. If wrestling some of best teams in the country helps make us better, this would be that schedule, Go Bison.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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07-26-17 09:45 AM - Post#231297
In response to nitlion
That is definitely a challenging schedule. With the opening of the Graham Wrestling Center, the Bison now have one of the better training facilities in the nation - which should help future recruiting. Also I believe Bill Graham is supporting more financial aid for the sport, which is critical. For example, the Bison last year only spent 64% as much as Lehigh on the sport, and they also spent less than American. When you back out the coaches' salaries and general expenses, BU financial aid is likely 50% of what Lehigh spends.
A more important difference than financial aid is the fact that Lehigh redshirts virtually every wrestler. Of 33 non-freshmen on their roster, 31 took redshirt years and are thus a year older and more experienced than their Bison counterparts. That is a huge difference that is extremely hard to overcome.
It's hard to evaluate this year's large freshman class, but one name stands out. Eric Chakonis, from Don Bosco in North Jersey, was a two-time All Groups State Champion in what is a good wrestling state. He also won his District all four years - which is very difficult for a wrestler at a higher weight class.
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BisonRoadWarrior
Professor
Posts: 5203
Loc: Where the Bison Roam
Reg: 08-16-06
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07-26-17 11:49 AM - Post#231309
In response to Bison137
Based on basketball discussions, I had the sense that the Patriot League imposes very high hurdles for redshirting requests. Does Lehigh get to run wild with wrestling because it isn't a league sport?
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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Bison Wrestling 07-26-17 12:09 PM - Post#231311
In response to BisonRoadWarrior
Based on basketball discussions, I had the sense that the Patriot League imposes very high hurdles for redshirting requests. Does Lehigh get to run wild with wrestling because it isn't a league sport?
Yes. Any wrestler who will not be a dominant starter as a freshman is automatically redshirted.
In PL sports, the only way an athlete can be redshirted is due to a season-ending injury or some major family crisis or something similar.
Since Bucknell won't allow non-injury redshirting, it has had a couple of wrestlers over the years opt to do a "self-redshirt" by taking a year off school while continuing to train and wrestle in independent events.
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Bison54
PhD Student
Posts: 1800
Reg: 11-18-09
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Re: Bison Wrestling 07-26-17 02:19 PM - Post#231316
In response to Bison137
Do PL rules apply to wrestling as it is not a PL sport?
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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07-26-17 02:33 PM - Post#231319
In response to Bison54
No, they don't. Wrestling and water polo only have to adhere to Bucknell rules. Wrestling belongs to the EIWA and water polo to the CWPA. Neither of them has many rules other than whatever is mandated by the NCAA. Hockey is another sport that of course is not sponsored by the PL. Played by Army, Colgate, HC, Boston U.
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A Western Bison
Sophomore
Posts: 179
Age: 65
Loc: Albuquerque
Reg: 07-05-12
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Bison Wrestling 07-27-17 03:51 PM - Post#231351
In response to Bison137
Whoa. Whoever thought that a EIWA campaign would be a lighter load than the non-conference schedule? Just to point out one more highlight-- the Bison open at Edinboro, wrestling CSU Bakersfield, a solid program, and Edinboro, that finished 20th at the NCAA Championships this year.
Edited by A Western Bison on 07-27-17 03:54 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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07-30-17 09:22 PM - Post#231413
In response to A Western Bison
Recruiting is going very well for next year. BU now has commitments from three of the top 31 in Pennsylvania - all from Western PA:
1. #18 Zach Hartman, a 157 pounder from Belle Vernon. . https://twitter.com/JoshMLowe/status/7740 507641718...
2. #29 Carnell Andrews, a 149-pounder from Bishop McCort. . http://www.tribdem.com/pennsylvania/bishop-m ccort-...
3. Noah Levett, a 133-pounder from Kiski Area. . http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/highs choolrecr...
https://www.papowerwrestling.com/class-of-2018-top...
More than 90% of the top PA wrestlers are still uncommitted, so maybe they can add a couple more.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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07-30-17 10:34 PM - Post#231414
In response to Bison137
Jaret Lane from Southern Columbia would be a great get. Super smart, hard worker, super abilities...plus his brother wrestles at Lehigh so maybe he'd love to blaze his own trail.
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