???After a tough loss to Ohio on Jan. 25, the wrestling team headed to Central Michigan on Saturday looking for a challenge against the ninth-ranked team in the nation.
???When every match was said and done, the Chippewas (13-2-1, 2-0-0 Mid-American Conference) proved why they are one of the best in the nation, defeating the Bulls (9-6-0, 1-2-0 MAC), 32-3. Central Michigan won nine of 10 matches at the event.
???With the win, the Chippewas have won 55 of their last 56 conference matches. To Bulls head coach Jim Beichner, Central Michigan's winning streak was a factor for the meet.
???"Central Michigan has been on a roll," he said, "Sometimes, it's hard to get a team out of that."
???The Bulls had an uphill battle from the start. Five Chippewas wrestlers are currently ranked in the top 20 in the nation in each of their respective weight classes for Division I wrestling, ranging from the 125-pound class to the 174-pound class. In those weight classes, the Bulls managed only one win, which came from redshirt-freshman Desi Green.
???In the 145-pound weight class event against Steve Brown, Green earned his 30th victory of the season after tying over and over again. After a 2-2 tie, both wrestlers exchanged points in the third period to tie the bout, 3-3. Green then managed a takedown with only four seconds left in the match, winning the match with a 4-3 decision over Brown. With the win, Green leads the Bulls in overall wins and dual meet wins this season.
???"[Green] controlled the match and it's his first top 10 win of his career," Beichner said. "He is one of our best leaders as he leads by example."
???Prior to Green's victory, Bulls junior Dan Bishop took on Scotti Sentes of the Chippewas. Bishop lost by major decision, 10-0, putting the Bulls behind in the overall event, 4-0. The Chippewas flexed their muscles by winning the next two matches and taking an 11-0 lead overall.
???In the 133-pound weight class, sophomore Kevin Smith lost to Conor Beebe by decision in the third period, 9-2. Smith earned his score after a reversal and a takedown against Beebe earlier in the period.
???Representing the Bulls in the 157-pound event, freshman John-Martin Cannon took on Eric Cubberly of the Chippewas. Going into the third period, the match was tied 0-0. Cubberly ended Buffalo's hopes of winning a second match as he managed an escape, winning 1-0. Buffalo dropped the next five bouts, with three of those coming from major decision.
???According to Beichner, the Bulls are a very young team that is looking to gain experience. There are only five upperclassmen on the team and six freshmen starting against one of the nation's best teams. In addition, Buffalo's schedule is one of the toughest in the nation. Throughout the year, the Bulls will face off against six of the nation's top 25 teams, according to USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I rankings.
???"We wanted our freshman to be tested, challenged, and pushed by our tough schedule this year," Beichner said. "This is one of the strongest schedules we have ever faced."
???The Bulls, who haven't had a home match since Nov. 26, return home this weekend for the first of four-straight matches in Alumni Arena. Their first matchup against Kent State takes place Saturday at 7 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
