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Former UB Grappler To Compete In Takhti Cup in Iran

Kyle Cerminara

Cerminara is one of four teammates representing the New York Athletic Conference. The Lewiston, NY native will join the likes of 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick as well as 2006 U.S. World Team member Andy Hrovat and 2005 U.S. World Team member Mo Lawal. Coaching the U.S. team will be USA Wrestling’s National Freestyle Resident Coach Terry Brands, a two-time World champion and 2000 Olympic bronze medalist, along with veteran coach Ed Giese of Woodale, Ill.

Since his championship run at the 2006 Canada Cup in July, Cerminara has been training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO, fighting for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team when it competes in Beijing, China in 2008. In November, Cerminara finished fourth at the American Airlines/NYAC Holiday International.

While at UB, Cerminara began his final season on a 34-match winning streak, which included a first-place finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Overall, Cerminara finished his senior season with a 39-4 record and was the winner of every tournament he competed in throughout the season, before finishing second at the MAC Championships. Cerminara left Buffalo with a career record of 137-35 (.796), which is sixth all-time for the Bulls.

"We're really proud of Kyle," Buffalo head coach Jim Beichner said. "He's been working really hard to earn a chance to represent his country at the next Olympic games. He has his goals set and knows where he wants to be at in terms of his developmental process. We're all rooting for him here."