Nov. 8, 2006

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The long-awaited return of wrestling to Bucknell University will be officially complete when the Bison travel to Philadelphia, Pa., this Saturday, Nov. 11, to compete against Drexel, Maryland and James Madison in their first match of the year. Bucknell's incoming recruiting class for the 2006-07 season has been highly touted, receiving recognition in two Division I recruiting class rankings. The Bison were tabbed 14th on Wrestling International Newsmagazine's (W.I.N.) 25-team list, second among the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association squads that were ranked, and 19th on InterMat's 30-team list, third among EIWA schools.

125
Greg Hart will be the projected starter at 125 as Bucknell head coach Dan Wirnsberger believes he will be dangerous and competitive as he was a New Jersey state placewinner while competing at Bernards High School. Binghamton, N.Y., native Eric Azersky gives the Bison depth in this weight class.

133
Dave Marble looks to get the starting nod at 133. Marble, who hails from Harpursville, N.Y., was a state champion for Harpursville Central High School. Luke Chohany, a Pennsylvania state placewinner out of Duncannon and Susquenita High School, will also be a force at 133. David Cunningham of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Shady Side Academy will be a factor as well, as he makes his way back from a shoulder injury.

141
Wirnsberger will look to either Jack Conroy or Zach Galligan to be the starter at 141. Conroy, a native of Westport, Conn., is a New England runner-up and a national prep placewinner out of Green Farms Academy. Wirnsberger sees him as a highly motivated and dedicated athlete with tremendous passion for the sport. Galligan, a graduate of Adirondack High School, is a New York state placewinner who possesses good technical skills and a solid work ethic. Also competing at 141 will be Haddonfield, N.J., native Drew Scannell, who continues to develop, and Adam Starr, from North Bellmore, N.Y., who has shown consistency thus far.

149
Michael Guttilla has earned the starting role at 149. According to Wirnsberger, Guttilla possesses skills and talent and he hopes those attributes will carry over into competitions. Guttilla hails from Ingamer Pa., and comes to Bucknell out of powerful Blair Academy.

157
One-fifty seven will perhaps be the most talented weight for the Bison in 2006-07. Mike Powers is a four-time National Prep All-American as well as a Junior National All-American and was ranked 66th on the InterMat top recruits of 2005-06 list. Wirnsberger believes Powers possesses more raw talent than anyone on the squad. He sees him as a truly explosive athlete and feels that the sky is the limit for Powers as he transitions to collegiate wrestling being that he is a proven winner at the national level. Brantley Hooks is another Bison at 157 with an accomplished high school wrestling career. Hooks, a Spartanburg, S.C., native out of James F. Byrnes High School, was a three-time state champion and a NHSCA All-American. Wirnsberger thinks that his determination and passion will help carry him to success in collegiate competition.

165
The starter at 165 will be Andy Rendos, a highly-touted recruit from Brockway Area High School in Brockway, Pa. Rendos was a two-time state champion and participated in the prestigious Dapper Dan Classic. Wirnsberger feels Rendos is a true competitor who has the potential to be a superstar in the future for Bucknell wrestling.

174
Warren, N.J., native Shane Riccio will start for Bucknell at 174. He is a Senior National All-American out of Watchung Hills High School who Wirnsberger believes possesses grit and drive.

184
George Mann, from Orange High School in Orange, Ohio, will be the starter for the Bison at 184. According to Wirnsberger, Mann, who was a two-time state alternate, brings a tremendous work ethic and toughness to the squad. Also playing an important role at 184 will be the team's one upperclassman, Brian Lauffer, from nearby Northumberland, Pa., who will bring added talent and depth to the weight class.

197
Wirnsberger will look to Eric Lapotsky as the starter at 197. Lapotsky is a two-time state placewinner who has the ability to pin opponents, according to Wirnsberger, who expects big things out of the transfer from Slippery Rock University. Sean LoCurto, who comes to Bucknell from Garden City, N.Y., is highly skilled as well and Wirnsberger projects that he will develop into a premier Division I wrestler.

Heavyweight
Bucknell's heavyweight starter will be George Hingson from Moon Township, Pa. Hingson was a PIAA state placewinner for Moon Area High School his senior year and Wirnsberger believes that through proper development, Hingson is a physical athlete who can become a key performer for the Bison.