Although it seems improbable, there are a number of reasons why the UB wrestlers are now 11-4 (1-2 Mid-American Conference) on the 2003-04 season.
Their high-intensity workouts, a tightly knit team and athletes unafraid to step up to win at meets are all part of the formula that has produced Buffalo's recent success.
This formula was at work again Tuesday night and it produced a staggering victory at Slippery Rock, Pa. UB took eight individual victories and coasted to the 33-9 win.
"On paper we might not match up as well against our opponents like we used to," said Buffalo head coach Jim Beichner. "But every single guy, they know they're ready, they know they're in shape, they know they've got good technique and they know they've been trained properly."
Beichner's point was evidenced by the effort put forth Tuesday, as the victories for the Bulls came from Greg Thomas, Mark McKnight, Harold Sherrell, Cliff Smith, Kyle Cerminara, Mike Sebaaly, Patrick Lloyd and Ed Pawlak.
Thomas, a heavyweight transfer from Nassau Community College, was the only Bull to record a pin. He pinned Mike Bromley 3:33 into the match.
McKnight and Sherrell both got their wins by technical fall, while Smith and Cerminara both won by major decisions.
While training techniques and high intensity workouts allow the Bulls to recover from meet to meet, heart and desire continue to be a driving factor for UB. Matches like this one at Slippery Rock help to create momentum that the team carries from one meet to the next.
"Man for man, we wont lose because we're not ready, or the guys don't have a good attitude, or the guys aren't prepared," said Beichner. "If we lose it'll be because somebody's better than us, and sometimes you can't control that."
Next up for UB is a tri-meet between UB and MAC rivals Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan.
The matches are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Feb. 22 in Alumni Arena.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
