Bulls men’s wrestling (0-1, 0-0 MAC) held their season-opening dual at Alumni Arena with the University of Pittsburgh (2-0, 0-0 ACC). The No. 21-ranked Panthers won 33-6.
The meet began with losses for Buffalo. 125 lb. redshirt-freshman Caden Barrientos fell by technical fall, 17-1 in 5:27, followed by 133 lb. redshirt-freshman Troy Guerra’s technical fall loss 16-1 in 3:42. 141 lb. redshirt-freshman Gianni Silvestri lost by decision, 8-3.
The tide shifted for the Bulls in the middle weight classes. 149 lb. redshirt-freshman Sam Ewing earned the Bulls’ first win by decision, 6-5,with a reversal and single-leg takedown in the second period. Kaleb Burgess, the No. 32-157 lb. ranked redshirt-senior won next by decision, 9-5. Burgess is now 6-1 on the season after five victories at the Clarion Open.
165 lb. redshirt-junior Kelin Laffey, a transfer from Pitt, wrestled a close match against No. 25-ranked Dylan Evans. He trailed 1-0 at the start of the third period but lost by decision, 4-2.
The Bulls struggled in the heavier weight classes, where three of Pitt’s nationally ranked wrestlers competed. Ewing and Burgess earned the only Buffalo wins.
Bulls Wrestling continues next Saturday, Nov. 15, in West Lafayette, Ind. against Purdue University at 10:00 a.m. and American University with a time to be announced.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
