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BUFFALO, NY - For the fourth consecutive season, the University at Buffalo wrestling team will be sending at least three competitors to the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Three UB wrestlers won their weight classes this weekend at the Mid-American Conference Championships, held at Ohio University in Athens, OH. In addition, one also qualified for the NCAA tournament as a wildcard finisher. In total, 18 wrestlers will represent the MAC at the NCAA Championships at Iowa University from March 15-17, 10 weight class champions and eight wild card selections.

Seniors Shawn Kegel (Wantagh, NY/MacArthur) and John Eschenfelder (North Syracuse, NY/Cicero-N. Syracuse) and junior Dave Guarino (Derby, NY/Lakeshore) all recorded first-place finishes in their respective weight classes to earn All-MAC honors. Senior Josh States (Lockport, NY/Lockport) earned All-MAC honorable mention honors and was a wildcard selection to compete in the NCAA Tournament. The four participants going to NCAAs marks the most that UB has ever had competing.

UB finished fourth at the MAC Championships for the second year in a row with 58 points. Host Ohio University pulled out the victory with 74.5 points despite only having two participants win their weight classes. UB had more individual champions than any other school. Central Michigan (63.5 points) and Kent State (62 points) finished second and third, respectively.

"I thought that everyone wrestled well this weekend," said UB head coach Jim Beichner. "This team was ready and they showed it with their intensity on the mat. In all, I thought that this was one of the best team performances that I've seen from this school in recent years."

Kegel defeated Jordan Webster from Central Michigan, 10-7, for the championship at 133 pounds. After going 2-0 at the MAC Championships, Kegel now has a 29-4 record and will make his second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. Earlier this season, Kegel finished first at the Bearcat Open and the Bloomsburg Invitational. In addition, he placed third at the Las Vegas Invitational, the highest a UB competitor has ever finished. Last season, Kegel qualified for the NCAA tournament as a wildcard competitor and finished 0-2.

Guarino defeated last season's Freshman of the Year Nick Nemeth from Kent State, 5-4 at 165 pounds, to earn his first trip to the NCAA tournament. Guarino, with a 2-0 record at the MAC Championship, now has a 20-14 record, the first time he has ever had a 20-win season. Earlier in the season, Guarino placed first at the New York State Championships and placed third at the Bloomsburg Invitational.

Eschenfelder notched a 10-8 decision over Brad Bauer from Ohio University for the title at heavyweight. With a 2-0 tournament record, Eschenfelder's season record is now 19-4, and he will be making his second trip to the NCAA tournament. Eschenfelder becomes UB's fourth two-time MAC Champion, having won the MAC Championship at heavyweight at the 1999 tournament. Earlier in the season, Eschenfelder finished first at the Bloomsburg Invitational.

Additional place finishers for the Bulls were juniors Ryan Bentley (Ripley, NY/Ripley) and Bill Jacoutot (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport), freshman Labe Black (Ventnor, NJ/Absegami) and senior Josh States (Lockport, NY/Lockport).

Bentley finished fourth at 141 pounds with a 2-2 record. Jacoutot finished third at 149 pounds after two opening victories moved him into the finals match, which he dropped to Ty Morgan from Central Michigan. Jacoutot then lost the true-second match. Black finished third at 157 pounds, dropping his first match but then recording two consecutive victories.

States finished in second place at 184 pounds winning his true-second match against Travis Kraft from Eastern Michigan, 10-8. States won his first-round match and qualified to the finals, but dropped a 5-4 decision to Nick Magistrelli from Kent State. He will take his 27-5 record to the NCAA Tournament where he was 2-2 last season.

Jason Mester from Central Michigan was named Freshman of the Year. Mester won the 141 pound weight class with a win over Ryan Egan from Northern Illinois. Kent State's Brent Thompson, with a victory over Central Michigan's Ahmad Sanders, won his fourth MAC Championship and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. At 174 pounds from Eastern Michigan, Mike Feeney was named MAC Wrestler of the Year. Feeney finished second at 174 pounds at the championships for the second year in a row. Ohio University head coach Joel Greenlee was named the Coach of the Year.

The Bulls now have a short break before the NCAA Championships from March 15-17 at Iowa University.