Kiski Area grad Nick Delp aims to earn elusive NCAA wrestling berth at Bucknell

In his three seasons as a wrestler at Bucknell, Kiski Area grad Nick Delp has had his moments.

As a sophomore, when the Bison visited perennial power Oklahoma State, Delp scored a 7-5 decision over the Cowboys’ Wyatt Sheets at 157 pounds. Sheets had been an All-American the previous season and was a two-time NCAA qualifier.

It was one of only two bouts the Bison won that day.

Last season, during the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association tournament, Delp defeated Navy’s Andrew Cerniglia, 5-3. Cerniglia had been a conference finalist the year before, and the win helped Delp place fifth in the EIWA tournament, his best finish to date.

But herein lies the rub: Delp has yet to score the one victory that would be the most meaningful, one that would launch him into the NCAA Tournament. Despite that win over Cerniglia, he was left one victory short of advancing to the NCAAs.

The same could be said for the previous season, when Delp finished seventh in the EIWA. He was left one win short of his ultimate goal.

So as Delp prepared for this, his senior season, he used those disappointments to spur him on during training.

“It’s been frustrating at times, for sure,” said Delp, who has wrestled at 157 for the balance of his time at Bucknell. “I’ve been so close. … Just to get over the hump and get (to NCAAs), it’s really something that’s been driving me. I do not want that feeling again.”

Delp entered the season with a 32-27 overall record. In Bucknell’s season opener, another trip to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State, Delp dropped a 5-4 decision to the Cowboys’ Jalin Harper. The close decision is a microcosm of Delp’s time at Bucknell: Win or lose, he gives every opponent a battle.

“The one thing I know for certain about Nick Delp is when the lights come on, he’s a tremendous competitor, and I’m very confident he’s going to go out there and compete with effort and hustle,” said Dan Wirnsberger, in his 19th season as Bucknell’s coach. “Nick can be tricky to wrestle. He’s dangerous in certain positions, and that always gives you confidence when you’re throwing out an athlete who has experience, that’s performed at a high level and he’s tricky at the same time.”

Delp bounced back from his season-opening loss to record a first-period pin in Bucknell’s second match, a 46-10 victory over Oklahoma Wesleyan. Delp put his opponent, Jerome Cannon, on his back in 2 minutes, 50 seconds. (In college wrestling, matches are 7 minutes, with the first period lasting 3 minutes.)

That was the type of result Delp said he would like to achieve more often. Known as a wrestler who often won via pin at Kiski Area, Delp has seen the frequency of his falls dwindle in college. One of his goals this season, he said, was to get back to being the wrestler who could end matches via fall.

To do that, Delp has been focusing on being more aggressive. For much of his college career, Delp said he has been wrestling defensively, but that will change this season.

“Offensively, if he can continue to create offense and stay healthy, that will give him the best opportunity,” Wirnsberger said. “He’s very, very good defensively. He’s hard to score on, and he’s a great mat wrestler, which gives him an advantage as well.

“But I think the key for him is to be able to score some offense for himself.”

Added Delp: “I think I could have just maybe been a little more active in the matches, not waiting but really getting after what I want to do. Not keeping matches close, more so just trying to open up a little bit more and score in ways I know how to and be on my offensive.”

Delp spent his offseason focusing on becoming better on his feet and from the neutral position. He also changed his mindset to be more proactive on the mat and not simply try to ride out his opponents.

To wit, Wirnsberger said Delp came into this season in better shape and with his weight under more control than ever. Not only should it serve to make him a better wrestler, Wirnsberger said, it sets an example for the Bison’s younger wrestlers.

Bucknell’s roster is loaded with freshmen and sophomores, and Delp is among the few upperclassmen who can provide a guiding hand. Delp said all of the young wrestlers know how to compete. What they need most, he said, is advice on navigating a college season.

“The losing weight process and the grind of the season and the preseason,” he said. “Or helping them through practice when they’re tired or they’re just not feeling good, how to take care of their bodies and make sure we’re all on the same page in terms of trying to do the best we can out on the mat, win, lose or draw.”

That young roster will be looking to improve on the Bison’s 4-6 EIWA mark from last season. It might seem like a tall order given all the youth, but Delp said he is confident the group can contend for the conference title.

As for himself, Delp will be looking to finally make the NCAA Tournament. He has one more year of eligibility remaining, and he does plan to use it, but he said he is undecided on where he will use it.

His coach, meanwhile, is confident Delp can reach the NCAAs. He said Delp has a chance against any opponent he faces. He just has to put it all together at the right moment.

“If he can go out there and enjoy his senior season and competes like I know Nick Delp can compete, then the sky is the limit,” Wirnsberger said.