Bulls Finish MAC Championships with Six Top-Four Finishers

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Desi Green

YPSILANTI, MI - The University at Buffalo wrestling team finished in fourth place with 39 points at the 2009 MAC Championships at the Convocation Center on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. The Bulls finished the day with six top-four finishes including Desi Green, Nate Rock and Jimmy Hamel each taking second place in their respective weight classes.

For the Bulls, Dan Bishop, Ron Majerus, Mickey Moran also placed in their respective weight classes.

Nate Rock

At 149, it was a battle of nationally-ranked wrestlers as 18th nationally-ranked Green faced 11th nationally-ranked Steve Brown of Central Michigan for the MAC individual title. Green and Brown wrestled an aggressive match with the score 4-1 after two periods. Brown would add a third period escape and was awarded a riding point for his 6-1 decision over Green.

In the finals match for the 174-pound crown, Rock wrestled eighth nationally-ranked Mike Miller of Central Michigan. Rock was looking to revenge a 12-4 major decision loss to Miller earlier in the season. Rock and Miller fought hard through the first period however, Rock fell to Miller at 2:47.

Jimmy Hamel

At 197, Hamel faced Eastern Michigan's John McClure in front of a home crowd. After a scoreless first period, McClure scored first with an escape in the second period. McClure would take a 3-0 lead with a takedown on the edge of the ring. Hamel scored a late escape in the second for his first point. Hamel and McClure's high intensity style of wrestling resulted in the match coming down to the end. With Hamel down 3-1 heading into the third period, he scored an early escape closing the gap to one point. Hamel and McClure wrestled hard in the time remaining, taking shots on one another with neither wrestler giving an inch. In the end, McClure captured the crown in a 3-2 decision but not without a fight from Hamel.

Bishop started the day for the Bulls as he faced Eastern Michigan's Christopher Jenkins. With the score tied 2-2 after regulation, Jenkins was awarded a riding point for his 3-2 decision over Bishop, placing Bishop in fourth place.

Mickey Moran

At 165, Majerus finished in fourth place by falling to Northern Illinois' John Odeen in a 5-3 decision.

In his chance to finish as high as second, Moran defeated Brad Dieckhaus of Northern Illinois in a close 2-1 decision to advance further in the Championships. In the match for true-second place, Moran squared off against Central Michigan's Vince DiDona. Moranâs efforts to finish second came up short as he lost in a 5-2 decision to DiDona. 

The Bulls strong showing at this year's MAC Championships, closes out a successful season with much promise in the near future. The Bulls will wait for notification from the NCAA regarding possible wild card selections for the NCAA National Tournament beginning on March 19 in St. Louis, MO.

FINAL TEAM RESULTS
1. #10 Central Michigan 111.5
2. #20 Kent State 82.5
3. Northern Illinois 47.5
4. Buffalo 39
5. Eastern Michigan 36.5
6. Ohio 15.5