Two conference championships. Back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Championships. The most victories of anyone in the nation at the 133-pound weight class. How will Buffalo senior wrestler Mark Budd end his career with all these accomplishments?
"I need to win. I think I've set the bar that high," said senior Bulls wrestler Mark Budd. "All of my goals aren't achieved yet."
Detroit, Mich. will play host to the 2007 NCAA Wrestling Championships from March 15-17. This will be the last chance for Budd to take home the NCAA title, that eluded him last season, and bring Buffalo its first individual national title at the Division I level.
Inspired by his father who himself was a wrestler, Budd began hitting the mat at the tender age of five. Just one year later, Budd would begin to compete in and win tournaments.
"I was terrible when I first started," Budd said. "I got pinned my first match. I remember by my second year I was decent, I could win tournaments. Not really good at it until high school though."
Once Budd reached high school, records would begin to fall. During his senior season at Orrville High School in Ohio, Budd set the school record for single match victories, compiling a record of 43-3. That outstanding performance would shine the spotlight on Budd, giving Buffalo the opportunity to recruit him during that senior season.
"He came highly recommended," said Bulls head coach Jim Beichner. "(Budd's high school coach) said this young man is going to be very good. We believed him. We're very impressed with what he has become."
Budd's dominance from high school did not translate in collegiate success when he first arrived in Buffalo. Though many would consider Budd's mark of 7-9 and 3-0 in dual meets impressive for a freshman, Budd himself could not have been more disappointed.
"Wrestling was hard. I was terrible my freshman year actually," Budd said. "It was hard to adjust."
Budd would continue to vastly improve each season. In his junior campaign, he achieved one of the many goals he set for himself before ever arriving at Buffalo by winning the Mid-American Conference Championship.
Other accomplishments that Budd accumulated during his junior season included defeating the No.1 wrestler in his weight class in both Division I and Division II. He is the first Buffalo wrestler to ever defeat a No. 1 ranked opponent when he defeated Shawn Bunch of Edinboro last year.
"He's spoken through his wrestling ability and work ethic," Beichner said. "I don't know how many guys we've had have undefeated dual meet seasons but if you look in the record book there's not that many. He's got more wins than anyone else his weight class."
"Were very happy with the way he has progressed over the years," Beichner said. "This is the first year I've ever had one captain. Budd is a quiet leader. He leads by example more than anything else. He's the only team captain. This is the first year I've ever had one. He sets a precedent whenever he trains or lifts."
If you can manage to spot Budd around campus this semester, consider yourself lucky. This being his senior year and most important season to date, Budd is taking just three classes, one online, so that he can concentrate and prepare for the NCAA Championships.
"If we have a lift we have it at seven, so I have to wake up at six," Budd said. "Practice in the afternoon and class at night. This semester is real easy."
Regardless of what happens in Detroit next week, Budd will always hold a place among the best in Bulls' history.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
