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ALBANY, NY - University at Buffalo freshman Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) will see a familiar face in the first round of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at Albany's Pepsi Center, and could see college wrestling's most recognizable face in the second round.

Cerminara will face Millersville's Greg Eynon - who he defeated by an 8-2 score in the finals of the Bloomsburg Invitational in November - in the first round at approximately 2 pm on Thursday afternoon. If Cerminara is victorious, he will face the most decorated collegiate wrestler in the history of the sport -Iowa State's Cael Sanderson - in the second round later that evening.

Sanderson is 154-0 and is looking to become the first NCAA wrestler in history to finish his career undefeated and with four national championships. Sanderson is the sport's biggest name and all eyes will be on the Iowa State senior who has been named the Outstanding Wrestler at the NCAA Championships in his three previous trips.

"I think it's a good draw for Kyle because he has familiarity with his first round opponent," said head coach Jim Beichner. "Eynon is a little bit unorthodox, but having faced him once before should be to Kyle's advantage. If he is focused, he can get that all-important first victory."

Jim Beichner

In regards to a possible meeting with Sanderson, Beichner said, "If that happens, it will be a great experience for Kyle. He would certainly be a huge underdog - but to have that kind of opportunity as a freshman would help him in his goal of becoming an All-American and a national champion. He will have nothing to lose and a great experience to gain."

To become an All-American, a wrestler has to finish in the top eight in his weight class. Once a wrestler loses twice he is eliminated, while one loss sends the competitor into the wrestlebacks. If Cerminara wins his first round match on Thursday, he is guaranteed to see action on Friday.