TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

How special has this season been for you returning to Western New York – after transferring from Lock Haven – and then qualifying for your third NCAA Championships?
It has been a great opportunity for me. I really enjoy working out with all of the teammates that I have. It has also been fun to work out with (UB assistant coach) Josh Koscheck, who was an old competitor and big rival of mine when he wrestled at Edinboro. It’s definitely also nice to be close to home, because if there is a need for me to go home, I can.

At the NCAA Championships – which take place in Saint Louis, MO between this Thursday, March 18th and Saturday, March 20th – what previous experiences will you be able to draw from?
I am really confident about my chances at the “Big Show” this year. I definitely think I have a chance to become an All-American, which means finishing in the top eight in my weight class. This season, I’ve worked harder than I ever have. I also feel that I have been working in the right environment, as far as having great people surrounding me.

How much advice have you and junior Kyle Cerminara given to freshman Mark McKnight, who will be competing in his first NCAA Championships?
We really have not had a sit down with Mark about Nationals yet, but I am sure on the trip out there we will speak to him and try to give him a confidence boost. Mark is one of the most athletic kids I have ever seen, especially as a true freshman. He definitely deserved the Mid-American Conference Freshman Wrestler of the Year award that he received.

At a tournament as big as the NCAAs, can you elicit energy from the crowd and the championship atmosphere?
You definitely can feed off the crowd. You have to go out there with the mindset that you can win every match – and you truly can. Anything can happen out there, because the level of competition at a tournament like that is very similar. It’s just a matter of who makes the least amount of mistakes.

You found out on Monday that you would face second-seeded Tyler Nixt of Iowa in the opening round. How much attention do you pay to the draw you received and who you may potentially face in the later rounds?
I take it one match at a time. There’s no need to look ahead. Definitely, you can’t take any opponent lightly either – even if you have faced and defeated him in the past.

Will you get a chance to watch both Kyle Cerminara and Mark McKnight compete, as well?
Most certainly, I will be right there at matside when my teammates are wrestling. I’ll be there to cheer them on and give them any support that they need.

How much do your coaches help you during the process of a match? Is the staff more involved in preparation, or does their in-match coaching help, too?
Personally, I listen a lot to the coaches during a match. Especially when you have to make a decision in the match, like choosing what position to start off the second or third period in. Also, you use what the coaches offer as far as holding a guy down or letting him up. It really helps to have the coaches there during a match.

Having previously wrestled in the Eastern Wrestling League, what do you think about the strength of the MAC?
The MAC is definitely underrated. There should be more guys in the MAC that are ranked nationally. Also, I feel that the MAC deserves more qualifying spots for the NCAA Championships. For instance, when I was in the EWL, the top three guys in each weight class earned NCAA berths along with eight (now it is seven) wildcards. While in the MAC, only the top guy in each weight class qualifies along with eight wildcards.

Earlier this year you took an individual title at the New York State Collegiate Championships. Having previously won a New York State title in high school, what did it mean to capture a collegiate championship, as well?
Yeah, that is a nice honor. But I didn’t go into the tournament looking to capture the collegiate title to go along with the high school one I already had. I just went out to compete and do my best like I always try to do. That is what this coaching staff inspires you to do and I really appreciate that.

During your senior season, in what area do you feel you have been able to contribute to the most regarding the future of the UB wrestling program?
I think I have become a good role model with qualities and attributes that I can pass down to our younger wrestlers. I’ve enjoyed filling that mentor-type role for the freshmen we’ve had on our team.

-The "10 Questions with…" feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.