Drexel Downs Bucknell for the First Time Since 2012

Sunday, January 22

Lewisburg, Pa.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

Bucknell

Photo by: Babiec's

Drexel Downs Bucknell for the First Time Since 2012

1/22/2023 5:13:00 PM | Wrestling

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Dragons claimed six of ten bouts as they downed Bucknell, 23-13 on Sunday afternoon. Gabe Giampietro earned a fall in his first career dual. This was Drexel's first victory over BU since January 13, 2012, in a 20-17 decision. Following today's triumph, Drexel is 5-4 overall and 3-0 against the EIWA.

Giampietro, No. 27 Luke Nichter, Tate Nichter, No. 18 Evan Barczak, Cody Walsh, and No. 25 Brian Bonino all defeated their Bison opponents.

Bucknell drew first in a major decision at heavyweight. At 125, Giampietro gained the first six points for the Dragons. Kyle Waterman fell short against No. 22 Phipps, 2-0. Jordan Soriano entered the third period down 2-0 at 141 pounds. The freshman earned a takedown early in the period to tie the match at two. Ultimately, No. 20 Miller earned a reversal with ten seconds left to earn the triumph in a thriller.

L. Nichter cut the Bison's lead to one, as he defeated Bower in a 6-0 decision. T. Nichter attacked early, scored on a takedown, and found two near-fall points, to end the first period up 4-1. In the third period, Nichter gained two escape points and Bower took him down to make the score 6-4 with 30 seconds left. Nichter earned his second stall warning which gave Bower a stalling point but he defended last-minute attempts and held on to win 6-5. The success gave DU a 12-10 advantage with four matches to go.

Barczak and Walsh kept the momentum going for Drexel in major decision victories. At 184, No. 25 Bonino battled against McCready. The match was scoreless until the second period when DU earned an escape point and takedown. BU found a late takedown to cut the deficit 3-2, but Bonino held strong to clinch the bout for the Dragons. In the final match, at 197, the Bison earned their fourth victory of the day in a major decision.

Drexel 23 – Bucknell 13 125: Gabe Giampietro (DU) fall over Grayson McLellan (BU), 2:49 (DU 6-4) 133: No. 22 Kurt Phipps (BU) def. Kyle Waterman (DU), 2-0 (BU 7-6) 141: No. 20 Darren Miller (BU) def. over Jordan Soriano (DU), 4-2 (BU 10-6) 149: No. 27 Luke Nichter (DU) def. over Braden Bower (BU), 6-0 (BU 10-9) 157: Tate Nichter (DU) def. Riley Bower (BU), 6-5 (DU 12-10) 165: No. 18 Evan Barczak (DU) def. Chase Barlow (BU), MD 15-3 (DU 16-10) 174: Cody Walsh (DU) def. Sam Barnes (BU), MD 14-3 (DU 20-10) 184: No. 25 Brian Bonino (DU) def. Mason McCready (BU), 3-2 (DU 23-10) 197: Nolan Springer (BU) def. Josh Stillings (DU), 10-3 (DU 23-13)
*285: No. 30 Dorian Crosby (BU) def. Santino Morina (DU), MD 14-3 (BU 4-0)

Thoughts on Today's Dual:
"I feel great, I was definitely very nervous before the match, but after the takedown in the first 10 seconds, I felt pretty good, pretty calm. It felt amazing that I could actually go out there for my first match and get six points for the team!" - Gabe Giampietro on his Fall (Fr., 125lbs)

"Today was another great example of our team modeling our program's philosophy of Bringing the HEAT. Our team continues to show heart late in matches, we're giving a consistent effort from beginning to end and our attitude to take risks and learn, is growing every week. I like where we are right now and I'm excited about where we're going to be in March!"
- Mert '67 and Joanne '69 Hill Head Coach of Wrestling Matt Azevedo

Up Next:
The Dragons return home for alumni day and team dragon, in a matchup against Brown on Saturday, January 28^th. The bout is slated to begin at 2 p.m. from the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
Click here to purchase tickets.