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Bulls Split at Cleveland State Duals

The University at Buffalo wrestling team opened 2009 on the road as they competed in the Cleveland State Duals on Saturday afternoon, facing the Vikings of Cleveland State and the University of Northern Iowa. The Bulls were looking to continue where they left off in 2008, with six consecutive dual victories. The Bulls were victorious over the Vikings by the score of 26-12 however, they would suffer a 28-6 defeat by the University of Northern Iowa, ranked 14th in the latest Wrestlingreport.com NCAA Division I Team National Rankings.

Nate Rock

In the matchup with the Vikings, the Bulls would drop their opening match, followed by back-to-back decisions in their favor by Desi Green at 149 and John-Martin Cannon at 157. At 174, Nate Rock scored an 11-0 major decision over JT Miller. Mickey Moran would follow Rockâs stellar victory with a 14-6 major decision over Derek Cummins. The Bulls received forfeits at 197 and 133, credited to Jimmy Hamel  and Kevin Smith, respectively.

Kevin Smith

The Bulls faced a difficult opponent in the University of Northern Iowa Panthers with six wrestlers ranked in the latest Wrestlingreport.com NCAA Division I Individual National Rankings. The Bulls would drop eight matches to the Panthers however at 133, 33rd ranked Smith, would claim a 6-4 decision over 29th ranked Josh Baldridge, each ranked in the latest Wrestlingreport.comâs NCAA Division I Individual National Rankings.

Wrestlingreport.com's Latest Rankings

In the NCAA Division I Individual Rankings on WrestlingReport.com, the Bulls have four wrestlers who consistently appear week-to-week. In the latest rankings, Smith occupies the 33rd slot at 133, Green occupies thr 26th slot at 149, Moran occupies the 28th slot at 184 and Hamel occupies the 27th slot at 197.

Next Up

The Bulls will be in action at the National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Saturday and Sunday, January 10 and 11. The Bulls will compete in a field of tough competition with most of the teams ranked in the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA Division I Team Rankings; #1 Iowa, #2 Iowa State, #3t Cornell, #3t Nebraska, #5 Missouri, #6 Ohio State, #7 Minnesota, #10 Wisconsin, #14 Boise State, #15 Michigan, #16 Penn State, #18 Indiana, #20 Northwestern and #22 Northern Iowa.

The Bulls will come across squads they have already competed against this season at the UB Open - Mercyhurst and Ohio State; Body Bar Invitational - Boise State and Cornell; and at the Reno Tournament of Champions - Boise State, Minnesota State-Mankato, Missouri Valley, Nebraska-Kearney, Southern Oregon and Wyoming.