Every time the UB wrestling team ends a match, thousands of fans do not rush onto the mat cheering for the UB victory.
The Buffalo Bulls wrestling team (12-5, 2-3 Mid American Conference) has had some of the best records for UB teams in the past few years, yet many UB students don't even know there is a team, and of those that do know, most have not been to a match.
When the UB wrestlers take to the mat at Ohio University this weekend for the Mid-American Conference tournament, they will be scrapping with some of the best wrestlers in the collegiate ranks.
With a few wins and a little luck, they hope they will make a few heads turn around campus and give UB another sport to be proud of.
"They have been trained by some of the best coaches in the country," said head coach Jim Beichner of his players. "My assistants are both four time All-Americans, these guys know how to win."
The MAC is a tough wrestling conference according to UB coaches, and team victory is not likely. However, success for some of the Bulls' wrestlers is expected, and a first place finish could give some UB wrestlers an individual bid into the NCAA championships in St Louis, Mo.
Of the wrestlers who do not get an automatic bid as conference champions, eight wildcards will be selected and sent to the championships as well.
At the top of the MAC is Central Michigan, ranked No. 14 in the NCAA. The clash for individual spots will be the focal point for most fans, as the tournament will draw sixteen nationally ranked wrestlers, and seven of those from the top ten.
Among those who are ranked in the top ten in the NCAA are Ohio's Jake Percival (157 lbs.), Central Michigan's Jason Mester (141 lbs.) and Northern Illinois' Ben Heizer (184 lbs.) who is ranked second in the nation.
"Realistically we're not in the running to win the tournament as a team, but at this time of the year you really have to focus on individuals," said Beichner. "You want to get as many guys as you can to the NCAA championships."
Expected to have a strong showing this weekend, not only by UB coaches, but also by coaches throughout the MAC, are UB junior Kyle Cerminara (197 lbs.), senior Ed Pawlak (174 lbs.), and freshman Mark McKnight, (125 lbs.) all of whom have received number one rankings in their respective weight classes.
McKnight has already had a phenomenal freshman season, and is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation. Earlier this season, McKnight beat the previous MAC champion Kyle Stoffer from CMU in an 8-4 decision.
"McKnight is a freshman, but sets a great attitude for our team, he's here all the time. He works out on his own, and he's doing things on his own to improve himself," said Beichner. "He wants to win, and you can tell when people want to win. It's when you see them all the time, in the weight room and in the wrestling room."
Cerminara is undefeated in the MAC this year, and after a disappointing loss in the conference semifinals last year following his outstanding freshman season, which ended with a first place MAC finish, he should be ready to go all out to regain his spot atop the MAC.
Pawlak is also seeded first in the 174-lb. weight class. Last year UB's Gary Cooper took top honors in this class and Pawlak must be hoping for a little Cooper luck as he heads to the tournament.
The rest of the Bulls will be in a dogfight for a trip to the NCAA tournament. But Beichner won't put anything past his wrestlers, who have surprised him before and always have the ability to do so again.
"I don't know how we'll do as a team, under the circumstances, losing three guys to serious injury and other instances, its hard to say how we'll do, but I'll never put it past my team to overachieve because they have in many occasions," said Beichner.
The wrestlers will hit the mat on the Convocation Center floor at Ohio University at 7 p.m. Saturday night, and again at 11 a.m. Sunday morning with the championship round beginning at 4 p.m. later that afternoon.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
