ITHACA, NY - The University at Buffalo wrestling team finished
in sixth place among 12 squads at the Body Bar Invitational on
Saturday at the Newman Center on the campus of Cornell University.
Sophomore Kevin Smith earned the Bulls' top individual finish
by capturing second-place in the 133-pound weight class. Including
Smith, three additional Bulls placed in the tournament.
In the 133-pound weight class, Smith rattled off three straight
victories. In order to reach the championship bout, the 20th
nationally-ranked Smith faced off against sixth nationally-ranked
Mike Grey of Cornell, a 2008 All-American. Smith dominated Grey
throughout the match to earn his spot in the championship bout with
an 8-5 decision.
"Kevin was the highlight of the tournament for us. He is
starting to believe that he is a top-six wrestler and defeating the
top-six wrestler in the nation will only make him believe it more
and more. He is taking it one step at a time and is stepping up to
the challenge every time he steps on the mat" said head coach
Jim Beichner.
In the championship round, Smith faced a familiar opponent in
Mid-American Conference rival Danny Mitcheff of Kent State. Smith
and the 11th nationally-ranked Mitcheff, battled for three periods
with Mitcheff earning a 6-3 decision over Smith. Smith's
second-place finish was quite an improvement over his fifth-place
finish in 2008.
Junior Jimmy Hamel achieved his personal-best finish at the Body
Bar by capturing third place in the 197-pound weight class after
finishing in sixth place in 2008 and fifth place in 2007. In the
semifinals, the junior faced off against fifth nationally-ranked
Cam Simaz of Cornell. Hamel fell by technical fall to the 2009
All-American, 20-3 at 5:16. Hamel collected an 8-3 decision over
Jack Callender of Drexel followed by a medical forfeit by George
Kocher of Cornell to finish in third.
Following an opening 5-4 loss to Wyoming's Dallas Hintz,
redshirt-freshman Matt Bogardus captured three victories including
a 5-3 decision over teammate Brian Sheehan. Bogardus fell to Keith
Witt of Kent State in 47 seconds to finish sixth in the 174-pound
weight class.
"Matt did not have a great tournament. He takes losses hard
and that is important. We want that attitude in our wrestlers. We
are glad that he was upset and that he wants and expects more of
himself. We want expect more of him too," stated
Beichner.
In the 149-pound weight class, sophomore Desi Green finished in
sixth place. In the opening round, Green recorded a major decision
over Brian Alves of host Cornell, 16-6. The 15th nationally-ranked
Green was upset by Clarion's James Fleming in a 5-3 second
overtime sudden victory. In wrestlebacks, Green defeated
Ithaca's Blaine Woszcazak, 8-6 in the first sudden victory
period for his 50th career victory. The sophomore was forced to
medically fofefit his next match to earn sixth place.
Finishing in sixth place, the Bulls matched their all-time best
finish at the event, achieved in 2007.
"As a team, it was a great tournament. This was the best
competition we have seen all year. With that being said, we have a
lot of work ahead of us. We have a young team that is committed to
working hard. There were many positives we can walk away with from
the event with the most evident being Kevin Smith's
performance," said Beichner.
The Bulls (1-0-1, 0-0 MAC) will take the week off from competition
before traveling to Primm, NV to compete in the Las Vegas
Invitational on Friday, December 4 through Saturday, December
5.