The University at Buffalo wrestling team came into Alumni Arena this past Saturday looking for momentum. After suffering two-straight losses to rivals Kent State and West Virginia, a win was in order.
The team did just that, dominating the Bucknell University Bison 34-8 in a non-conference meet, to bring their overall record to 4-6 (1-2 MAC).
The highlight of the meet was the milestone two UB players reached on the same day. Both junior Ryan Bentley (141 pounds) and junior Gary Cooper (174 pounds) scored their 75th overall victories, placing them in a tie for 9th on UB's all-time list.
Cooper won his in grand style, first taking down Bucknell's Brock Hostetter and then pinning his overmatched opponent at the 1:35 mark of the first round. Cooper raised his overall mark to a stellar 75-33 with the win, and upped his record in dual meets to 22-11. The veteran leader downplayed his milestone after the contest.
"Victories are not what matter, going to the Nationals, becoming an All-
Bentley almost pinned Justin Hartrum in his quest for 75. Instead, he used the three points given for a near fall to take a commanding 4-1 lead in the match. He added a takedown and gave up nothing in return on his route to a 6-1 decision.
Bentley now has an almost identical record to Cooper, at 75-34. He raised his dual meet record to a team-best 31-12.
UB senior Bill Jacoutot (149 pounds) set the tone of the meet with a technical fall on Bucknell freshman Jacob O'Donnell. After that, the rout was on.
Dave Edwards (157 pounds), eked out a 9-8 decision over Bucknell's Rocky Miller. Dave Guarino (165 pounds), kept the Bulls shutout bid alive with a 15-5 major decision over Michael Saunders.
Following that match came Cooper's landmark triumph. Garrett Bontempo put another nail in the Bison's coffin with a 15-2 demolition of Brian Neuman.
Bucknell finally erased the bagel from the scoreboard when Brian Falciglia used the only takedown of the match to win a close 3-1 contest against Kyle Cerminara at the 197-pound division.
Heavyweight Mike Cooper won his first career dual match with a 8-2 decision over Mike Herbert.
The win gives Buffalo some much needed momentum going into this weekend's big match-up against defending regular season MAC champions Central Michigan. The meet will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday at Alumni Arena.
