TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

You have been picked to repeat as Mid-American Conference champion at 133 pounds this season and you have been ranked as high as 7th in the nation in your weight class. How confident are you as you enter the season and what kind of impact are you looking to make?

My confidence level is high after last season, I have been working to improve on last season and hopefully win a national title.

You began your career in the 125- pound weight class and have since moved up to 133 pounds during the 2003-04 season. Why did you switch weight classes and was it difficult to adjust to bigger guys?

It actually was easy to adjust because I feel I was too big for 125, I mean I was growing, I got stronger so it was real easy to adjust.

Last season you posted some big wins over nationally ranked opponents, including 2005 national runner-up Shawn Bunch from Edinboro. How exciting was that and how did it help you prepare for this season?

It was kind of exciting but it really didn’t matter because it was just a duel but it helped my confidence, showing me that I could beat the best guys in the country.

On Sunday, November 5, you open your season with the UB Open held in Alumni Arena? How important is it to open your season with a home meet?

It always helps. I think since its an open tournament at home, its just a good starter for our team and being at home is always nice.

This season, Buffalo will host eight home meets, including the MAC Championships. How much of an advantage do you think you have in hosting the MAC Championships this season?

I think it’s a big advantage, you have your fans and you get to sleep in your own bed at home, its just comfort.

With the wrestling season lasting from November through the beginning of March and 19 meets scheduled this season, what kind of physical toll does that take on you and how do you prepare for such a physically demanding schedule?

I don’t think the physical part is hard, I think it’s more the mental aspect. The season is long, it drags out, you have to cut weight. You just train all summer and it helps you mentally prepare for the season.

You are the team’s only captain this year. How much of an honor is that and what kind of responsibility does the title of captain carry with it?

Well, I don’t feel like I’m the only captain. We have other leaders, like the older guys all help out. It is an honor because I guess everybody respects me and looks up to me and I just try and lead the team by example. I’m not really a loud, outspoken person, I just lead by example.

What individual and/or school do you think will present the biggest challenge to you this season?

In the MAC, I think Central Michigan because they’re ranked No.1, they always are, for the last six years I think. To me personally, I think Matt Valenti from Penn because he’s ranked No.1 in the country and that’s the spot I want and I get to see him at Brockport so we’ll see how we match up.

You list your favorite thing about Buffalo as the weather. Did you lose power during the recent storm and what did you do while it was out?

Yeah, I lost power for maybe three days, I shoveled our sidewalk and then we had practice still because the University had power so we still practiced. But yeah, I shoveled sidewalks and helped somebody push their car out of a ditch.

What has been your favorite moment as a UB student-athlete?

Just being a Division I athlete and competing.

The “10 Questions with…” feature is compiled by Jackie O’Brien