MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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02-18-18 02:01 AM - Post#248435
Forgive me if this was recently discussed, but just curious what the latest is with Bucknell Wrestling. I see they lost to Bloomsburg, who themselves are not the program they once were.
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nitlion
Masters Student
Posts: 413
Reg: 06-18-06
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Re: Latest on the Wrestling program 02-18-18 02:52 AM - Post#248436
In response to MrPhillie
nothing magic about any Div 1 wrestling program, Bucknell is down 5 starters from the beginning of season. As a Penn State season ticket holder, even the Lions suffer when starters go down, almost lost dual at Lehigh with a backup at 165 lb, and with Jason Nolf out at 157, team is fine, but not one win as of yet with his backup. Buxknell is young and 2 of the guys out were NCAA qulifiers last season and Sr. Tom Shleigh , was a 3 time qualifier. It has been one of those years for Bucknell, looking for a couple of guys doing well in post season Tyler Smith snd Dru Phipps, might slide DJ Hollingshead through, tough sport when your best guys, are sitting on the side.
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Bison137
Professor
Posts: 16147
Reg: 01-23-06
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02-18-18 11:46 AM - Post#248464
In response to nitlion
True. Most of BU's top wrestlers have missed most or all of the year:
- Garrett Hoffman (184/197), who qualified for the NCAA's as a frosh at 184.
- Eric Chakonis, a freshman who was twice the NJ Open Meet champ at heavyweight.
- Tom Sleigh (197), who is one of the top wrestlers in Bison history and who qualified for the NCAA's his first three years.
- Jakob Campbell (125) - a frosh who had a win at Penn State before being hurt.
- Zach Kelly (157) - was one of Bucknell's highest-level recruits but unfortunately suffered a bunch of injuries; started the year as a starter but got hurt again and has now left the team.
- Joey Gould (133) - had a very good freshman season last year but missed most of this year; just returned this week - but at 149.
Also Jordan Gessner (125) - who had a very good freshman year last year, including a 4th place at the EIWA championships - was not on the team this year. Not sure about his situation.
- - - - -
The good news is that not only should the majority of the wrestlers on the above list be back next year but also there is a very good recruiting class coming in. If the BU administration would let Bill Graham fund scholarships, Bucknell could become a very strong program - although there is no chance of ever reaching the level of a Lehigh without having most of the wrestlers redshirt, as Lehigh does.
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MrPhillie
Postdoc
Posts: 2757
Loc: NE PA
Reg: 07-14-08
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02-18-18 03:26 PM - Post#248500
In response to Bison137
Thanks for the info. I knew some starters were out but haven’t seen much news. I know they were very solid but like I said, didn’t know all the info. Maybe it was a glitch, but even the Bucknell athletic site didn’t list coaches.
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HuskyColonial
PhD Student
Posts: 1976
Age: 50
Reg: 02-17-12
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02-18-18 09:45 PM - Post#248546
In response to MrPhillie
As a Bloomsburg alumni, our wrestling program is struggling but resilient considering the limited talent. Bucknell’s program is much healthier. Recent graduations of All-American level talent and injuries have hurt the Bison this season. Don’t be too dismayed by the loss.....however Bloomsburg is terrible and our wrestling board is almost nonexistent now given the University’s apathetic approach to our only Division I sport.
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