Dustin Manotti named assistant coach at Bucknell
Bucknell University
09/10/2007

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Dustin Manotti, who was a four-time All-American at Cornell, has been named an assistant coach for Bucknell wrestling, head coach Dan Wirnsberger announced on Monday. Manotti will join Wirnsberger and assistant coach Dave Hoffman on the Bison staff this upcoming 2007-08 season.

“I am very excited to have Coach Manotti on staff,” said Wirnsberger. “His wrestling credentials speak for themselves, but more importantly he understands the scholar-athlete ideal. He recognizes the commitment and time management skills needed to be successful at an elite academic institution. Dustin is an excellent communicator and will be able to provide our young athletes with the knowledge and discipline needed to be successful not only on the mat but in the classroom as well. He is very familiar with Bucknell University because of his local ties and will transition well into this position.”

Manotti, a native of nearby Mifflinburg, Pa., enjoyed an illustrious wrestling career for the Big Red as he became just the second wrestler in program history to take home All-America honors four times, with his best NCAA finish coming his senior year when he took third at 157 pounds.

In addition, Manotti made his mark on Cornell’s record book, graduating as the third-winningest wrestler in program history with 133 career victories and was also ranked 10th in overall winning percentage at .836 (133-26). He was a three-time All-Ivy selection, earning first-team honors in 2005 and second-team recognition in 2003 and 2004. As a freshman in 2003, Manotti was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

While wrestling for Mifflinburg Area High School, Manotti placed three times at the Pennsylvania state tournament, including a runner-up showing as a junior.

Manotti graduated from Cornell in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in communication. He served as an intern for the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) during the summer of 2005 and has spent time as a volunteer wrestling coach in the Cortland School District in Cortland, N.Y.

The Bison, who went 12-9-1 in dual-meet competition last season, 3-3-1 in the EIWA, will begin their 2007-08 campaign on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Md.