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Mark McKnight

ATHENS, OH - The University at Buffalo wrestling team opened competition at the Mid-American Conference Championships at Ohio University with first round bouts.

Eight of UB's ten wresters saw action in the first round with three Bulls winning their opening matches to continue in the winner's bracket. At 125 pounds, Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette) scored a 6-2 victory over Dave Aranada of Northern Illinois. He will face Ohio's Matt Smith in the second round.

Kyle Cerminara

At 197 pounds, Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter), the top seed in his weight class, defeated Kent State's Nick Hiller, 4-1. Cerminara will take on Greg Reardon of Northern Illinois in the second round.

Greg Thomas

In the heavyweight division, Greg Thomas (Baldwin, NY/Uniondale/Nassau CC) defeated Kent State's Willie Leonard, 7-4. Thomas will face top-seeded Bill Stouffer of Central Michigan in Sunday's second round.

Five Bulls dropped their opening matches and will compete in Sunday's wrestlebacks in the double-elimination format, guaranteeing a finish of no better than third. At 133 pounds, Cliff Smith (Merrick, NY/Calhoun) lost by major decision, 9-3, to Central Michigan's Jordan Webster. At 141 pounds, Mike Sebaaly (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was pinned by Northern Illinois' Andy Hiatt at the 5:29 mark of the bout. At 157 pounds, Brian Sebaaly (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) lost an 8-2 decision to Mike Tolar of Kent State. At 165 pounds, Nick Rausenberger (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free/Nassau CC) was pinned at the 4:11 mark by J.J. Holmes of Eastern Michigan. At 184 pounds, Harold Sherrell (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) was defeated by Central Michigan's Alex Lammers, 13-2.

Two Bulls, Pat Lloyd (Middletown, NY/Valley Central) at 149 pounds and Ed Pawlak (Lakewood, NY/Southwestern/Lock Haven) at 174 pounds earned first round byes and will begin competition tomorrow. Lloyd, the number four seed in his weight class, will face Josh Wooton of Northern Illinois in his first match. Pawlak, the top seed in his weight class, will meet Ed Willis of Ohio on Sunday.

A trip to the NCAA Tournament is on the line for 18 individuals. Each weight class winner gets an automatic bid to the tournament as well as eight wild card entries to be decided at the conclusion of meet. Second-round action begins at 10 am with finals beginning at 4 pm on Sunday.