Opening Session of NCAA Wrestling Championships Complete

ST. LOUIS, MO - University at Buffalo redshirt-freshman Desi Green, the 18th-nationally ranked wrestler at 149, has advanced in the championship bracket with a victory in the opening session of the 2009 NCAA National Championships at the Scottrade Center. Seniors Nate Rock and Mickey Moran and sophomoreJimmy Hamel will compete in the wrestleback portion of the National Championships.

Nate Rock

Rock opened the Bullsâ first appearance at this year's national championships with a 2-1 victory over redshirt-freshman Anthony Trongone of Virginia Tech in a pigtail match. Following a scoreless first period, Rock chose down to start the second. Rock exploded from the mat to score the first point of the match, an escape for a 1-0 lead. To start the third period, Trongone chose down however, Rock rode Trongone from the start. Rock received a warning for stalling only to follow with a second stalling call to result in a point for Trongone, tying the match at 1-1. Rock continued to ride Trongone for most of the third period, earning Rock riding time in the end for a 2-1 decision.

Desi Green

Following the pigtail round of matches, first round action kicked off for the Bulls at 149 as Green faced freshman Mitchell Polkowske of Northern Colorado. To start the first period, Green received a warning for stalling. Green did not hold back by attacking Polkowske for a takedown and a 2-0 lead. Polkowske escaped Greenâs grasp to cut Greenâs lead to 2-1 at the end of the first period. Polkowske chose bottom to start the second, earning a quick escape to tie the match at 2-2. Near the end of the second, Green took injury time due to a lower body injury. In the third, Green chose down followed by a forceful escape and a 3-2 lead. Green and Polkowske continued to fight. Green took additional injury time toward the end of the match however, was able to pick up a 3-2 decision. Green will compete in the evening session of the first round as he is slated to face third-nationally ranked, sophomore Darrion Caldwell of North Carolina State.

Rock would make his second appearance of the day as he faced 13th-nationally ranked, redshirt-junior Nathan Lee of Boise State. Lee came out aggressive against Rock in the first period, taking a 2-0 lead off a takedown. Lee started down to start the second, picking up an escape and a 3-0 lead. Rock was warned for stalling followed by a second warning, resulting in a point for Lee. The second period concluded with a takedown by Lee for a 6-0 lead. In the third, Rock chose down. The third started with an escape by Rock to cut the lead to 6-1. Lee followed with a double-leg takedown bringing Rock to his back, which Lee scored a three-point near fall to further his lead to 11-1. Rock continued to fight hard, breaking Lee's grip for an escape. Rock quickly shot into Lee with a single-leg takedown, earning two points. Lee was able to reverse the takedown and earn riding time to finish with a 14-4 major decision. In the wrestlebacks this evening, Rock will face redshirt-junior Eric Decker of Old Dominion.

Mickey Moran

At 184, Moran drew second-nationally ranked, redshirt-junior Philip Keddy of Iowa. Keddy attacked from the start with a takedown to bring Moran to his back. Keddy earned a three-point near fall off the takedown for a 5-0 lead. With Moran unable to break free, Keddy pinned Moan at 2:28. In the wrestlebacks this evening, Moran is scheduled to face Kenneth Caldwell of Navy.

Jimmy Hamel

Hamel faced a familiar opponent in seventh-nationally ranked, fifth-year senior, Brandon Halsey of California State-Bakersfield. Earlier this season, Hamel fell to Halsey in a 6-4 decision at the Reno Tournament of Champions on December 18. In the opening period, Halsey took Hamel down with a single-leg takedown for a 2-0 lead. Hamel fought his way out for an escape to cut the lead to 2-1. The wrestlers reset with Hamel shooting on Halsey, which Halsey prevented Hamel from penetrating. Halsey quickly took down Hamel, followed by a caution to Hamel after a stalemate and restart. Hamel was able to break Halsey's grasp for an escape to cut the lead to 4-2. To start the second, Hamel chose down. Halsey rode Hamel for most of the period earning riding time with no points awarded to either wrestler. With Halsey in the down position to start the third, Halsey earned a quick escape. Hamel shot quickly on Halsey however, Halsey prevented the shot by taking down Hamel for a 7-2 lead. Hamel broke Halsey's grip to earn his third escape of the match. In the end, Halsey earned a riding point for an 8-3 decision over Hamel. In the wrestlebacks this evening, Hamel will face freshman Andrew Delaney of The Citadel.

The 2009 NCAA National Championships will resume at 7:30 pm EST at the Scottrade Center.