Day One of NCAA Wrestling Championships Concludes

ST. LOUIS, MO - The first day of the 2009 NCAA Championships has come to a close at the Scottrade Center with 18th-nationally ranked redshirt-freshman, Desi Green and sophomore Jimmy Hamel still standing. Seniors Nate Rock and Mickey Moran closed the chapter of their UB careers with their first appearance at the national championships.

Desi Green

At 149, Green was the first Bull to wrestle in the second session. Green faced third-nationally ranked sophomore Darrion Caldwell of North Carolina State, who previously pinned the 14th-nationally ranked Cesar Garjales of Penn State in order to face Green. In the first period, Caldwell scored a takedown to take a 2-0 lead followed by an escape by Green. Caldwell picked up his second takedown off a throw, giving him the opportunity to pick up a two-point near fall with a tilt, which Green escaped from to earn a point. At the end of the first period, Caldwell held a 6-2 lead. To start the second period, Caldwell chose down. Caldwell was able to further his lead to 7-2 off an escape. For most of the second, Caldwell worked on Green while earning riding time. With 39 seconds remaining, Caldwell was called on a caution as he shot on Green prior to the referee's whistle for the restart off injury time taken by Green. To start the third, Green chose neutral. Green and Caldwell continued to fight, strategically looking to take shots on one another. Caldwell earned a late takedown on Green to take a 9-2 lead. Caldwell earned a 10-2 major decision over Green as he picked up an additional point for riding time of 2:05. In the Friday morning session, Green will face redshirt-sophomore Trevor Kittleson of Northern Iowa.

Nate Rock

In the second round of consolations, Rock faced redshirt-junior Eric Decker of Old Dominion. In the first period and second period, Decker earned the only points awarded in each period. In the first, Decker quickly shot a single for a takedown, which Rock aggressively tried to fight out of. To start the second, Decker chose down. Rock rode Decker tough by trying to work in a move however, Decker escaped Rock's grip to extend his lead to 3-0. To start the third, Rock chose down. Rock was unable to break the grip of Decker, who rode Rock tough for most of the third. With 10 seconds remaining, Rock broke free to earn an escape. Decker was able to hold on for a 4-2 decision with a point being awarded for riding time. This match concluded Rock's senior campaign as a Bull while making his first appearance at the national championships.

Mickey Moran

In the second round of consolations at 184, Moran faced Casey Caldwell of Navy. Earlier in the season, Moran fell to Caldwell in a 4-2 decision at the Reno Tournament of Champions on December 18. In the first period, Moran scored a takedown on Caldwell, which Caldwell escaped from. In the second period, Moran would defer with Caldwell choosing down. Caldwell tied the match at 2-2 when he escaped from Moran. Moran scored his second takedown of the match to take a 4-2 lead. Caldwell pulled the match within one off a late escape. To start the third period, Moran chose down. Moran was able to gain a two-point lead off a quick escape. Caldwell fought back with a takedown to tie the match at 5-5. Moran then recaptured the lead off an escape. With Moran leading by one point, Caldwell scored a late takedown on Moran to earn a 7-6 decision over Moran. Moran fought aggressive in his final match as a Bull. Like Rock, Moran finished his senior campaign by making his first appearance at the national championships.

Jimmy Hamel

At 197, Hamel faced freshman Andrew Delaney of the Citadel in the second round of consolations. Hamel jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as he hit a low single to pick up a takedown followed by an escape by Delaney. Hamel in typical fashion, fought hard to the end by scoring a late takedown for a 4-1 lead to close the period. To start the second, Delaney deferred the choice to Hamel, who picked neutral. Hamel's choice would work in his favor as he scored his third takedown for a 6-1 lead. Delaney escaped Hamel's grip to score a point. To end the period, Hamel went on the offensive by taking Delaney to his back while earning a takedown and three-point near fall for an 11-2 lead. To start the third, Delaney chose top in hope to control Hamel. Delaney was unable to as Hamel escaped his grip for a point. Off the escape, Hamel successfully shot a double-leg takedown for a 14-2 lead. Delaney closed the scoring with an escape. With his 14-3 major decision over Delaney, Hamel will move on to the next round. In the Friday morning session, Hamel is slated to face 11th-nationally ranked junior Eric Lapotsky of Oklahoma.

The third session of the 2009 National Championships will begin on Friday, March 20 at 11:00 am EST at the Scottrade Center.