LEWISBURG — When it comes to wrestling, Seneca Valley graduate Dylan Chappell is used to winning.

As a three-time WPIAL champion and three-time PIAA runner-up, he got used to winning medals as well — and wants to return the hardware to his game.

Now a redshirt sophomore at Bucknell University, Chappel qualified for Division I Nationals last year, but dropped both of his matches there at 149 pounds.

“Dylan was wrestling a weight class higher (149 pounds) than his natural weight as a way to get into the lineup,” Bucknell wrestling coach Dan Wirnsberger said. “This year, he was able to drop back to 141.

“Strength and power are big assets of his on the mat, along with his wrestling I.Q. He’s a very savvy guy on the mat, always know where he is, how he’s positioned. He doesn’t make many mistakes.”

Despite going through a slew of injuries this season. Chappell (20-9) qualified for a return trip to nationals by placing second at 141 at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) tourney last weekend.

The national tournament takes place Thursday through Friday in Kansas City, Mo.

“With all of his injuries this year, we weren’t expecting much at the EIWA tournament,” Dylan’s father, Larry Chappell, said. “But he’s healthy now and wrestled a great tournament.”

Chappell suffered a concussion in the season-opening tournament at Clarion. He dealt with turf toe after that and a high ankle sprain sidelined him for six weeks.

“Just one of those years,” Chappell said. “I had that ankle taped up every day before practice just to get out there. I just wanted to get through it and make sure I was ready for the (EIWA) tournament.”

The EIWA consists of wrestling teams from the Patriot League and Ivy League. Chappell was seeded seventh at 141 and began the tourney with a 4-2 decision over Logan Brown of Army. He then upset No. 2 seed Vince Cornella of Cornell, 4-1, and edged No. 3 seed Malyce Hines of Lehigh, 8-7, in the semifinals.

Chappell wound up losing to top-seed Josh Koderhandt of Navy in the finals.

“I’m seeded 16th at nationals and I’ve looked at the bracket,” he said. “I’m very confident I can place at nationals this time. I feel like I’m at my best right now. No wrestler is 100% toward the end of the year, but I’m feeling pretty good.”

Chappell said he gained a lot of confidence by edging Hines in the conference semifinals. Hines defeated him by technical fall at Lehigh earlier this season.

“I was pretty shaken up after that match,” Chappell admitted. “I met with our coaches, went over what I was lacking in that match. Part of it was confidence. I deal with mental blocks sometimes when I go up against a highly-regarded or higher-seeded wrestler.

“I’ve learned the seeds don’t mean anything. I’m good enough to compete with these guys. The seeding doesn’t matter, that’s why we go out and wrestle the match. We (Bucnell) hosted the conference tournament and that helped me, too.”

Kevin Wildrick, Chappell’s coach at Seneca Valley, said wrestling at 141 suits him.

“It’s a delicate balance, switching weight classes, a calculated thing in terms of diet and training,” Wildrick said. “It takes discipline and Dylan’s always had that.

“He’s adjusted to collegiate wrestling and he’s only going to get better and physically stronger.”

Wirnsberger said the key to succeeding in the postseason is “being healthy and at your best during that time period, the last week of February through early March. Dylan has definitely done that.”

Chappell was 164-26 at Seneca Valley, his 77 pins the Raiders’ career record. He is 65-26 at Bucknell and was named Bison of the Week for his performance in the EIWA tourney.

He is working on a double major — chemical engineering and management opf engineers.

“It’s a five-year program that’s pretty intense,” Chappell said of his academic schedule. “I meet with my professors before these (postseason) tournaments because I know I’m gonna miss a few days of classes.

“It’s hard work catching up, but that’s all part of it.”

Chappell has his eyes on 100 career wins in college as well.

“Definitely,” he said. “A big part of that is staying healthy, but if I do, I know I’ll get there.”

Chappell’s younger brother, Tyler, redshirted this season as a freshman wrestler at Pitt. Their older sister, Lauren, runs track and field at Manhattan College in her fifth year of eligibility, after graduating from Robert Morris.