This was not the way the UB wrestling team wanted to head into the MAC Championships.
The Bulls ended the season on a down note with two lopsided losses at the Cornell Duals on Saturday. The Missouri Tigers (18-2) - who are ranked ninth in the nation by the National Wrestling Coaches Association - hammered UB, winning by a score of 36-4. Buffalo was also downed by MAC rival, the Ohio Bobcats (12-11-1, 2-3 MAC), 29-12.
The Bulls finish a disappointing regular season with a record of 6-10 overall, 1-4 in the MAC.
Gary Cooper, who has been on a tear as of late and was named MAC Wrestler of the Week for Feb. 11-18, was the lone winner against Missouri for the Bulls. His major decision victory gave UB four team points - the only four points they would earn against the Tigers.
"Gary has been wrestling very, very well," said injured teammate Ryan Bentley. "He has a great shot to do damage at the MAC Tournament now that he is wrestling at the correct weight class. I really hope he brings his momentum into the last stretch of the season."
Kyle Cerminara's 3-1 decision over Ohio's Joel Weimer in the 197-pound weight class gave him a perfect 5-0 record against MAC competition this year. He used a takedown and an escape to earn his victory and complete the perfect conference season.
Charlie Voorhees opened the Ohio meet by posting a 4-2 decision over the Bobcat's Mike Caruso in the 125-pound weight class. His victory came courtesy of a takedown, an escape, and a riding time point.
Dave Edwards won a closely contested match-up against Alex Cooper of Ohio in the 157-pound class. His 7-6 victory was reached with a takedown, a two-point near fall, an escape and a reversal.
Garrett Bontempo was also one of the few Buffalo winners on the day. He used four takedowns and one escape to decision the Bobcat's Travis Smith, 9-3, in the 184-pound class.
Bentley maintained a positive attitude about the weekend, realizing that Missouri and Ohio are two of the best squads in the nation.
"We just ran into some of the best competition in the country," said Bentley.
The culmination of the Bulls season is on the horizon as the MAC Championships will be held on March 9-10, hosted by Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich.
After the MAC Championships, 18 of the conference's best wrestlers will advance to the NCAA Championships in Albany, N.Y. March 21-23. Last season, UB sent four wrestlers to compete in the national tournament.
