Bulls Bow Out of NCAA Wrestling Championships

ST. LOUIS, MO– With two of the four University at Buffalo wrestlers out of the 2009 NCAA National Championships, two remained standing as 18th-nationally ranked redshirt-freshman Desi Green and sophomore Jimmy Hamel competed in the consolation rounds. Green opened the day with a 9-5 decision followed by a one-point loss to miss the All-American round by one bout.

Desi Green

Two Bulls remained standing in the third round of the consolations as Green started the day off against redshirt-sophomore Trevor Kittleson of Northern Iowa. Green and Kittleson went head-to-head earlier in the season when the Bulls faced Northern Iowa in a dual meet at the Cleveland State Duals. In Cleveland, Green fell to Kittleson in a 9-7 decision, just one of Green’s seven losses of the season. In the first period, Green attacked from the start with a takedown on Kittleson. Kittleson picked up an escape to pull within one. Green went on the offensive once again with a single-leg takedown to further his lead to 4-1. Late in the period, Kittleson managed to pick up an escape. To start the second period, Kittleson chose down. Kittleson earned a quick escape to pull within one of Green. Green pushed his lead to three with a takedown only to have it cut into with an escape by Kittleson. To start the third, Green chose down. In doing so, Green escaped Kittleson’s grip to push his lead back to three. With his quick escape, Green aggressively shot on Kittleson for a takedown and 9-4 lead. Kittleson earned a late escape however, it was too late with the decision in Green’s favor by the score of 9-5. Green moved onto the fourth round of the consolations to face 11th-nationally ranked, Mid-American Conference opponent Steve Brown of Central Michigan.

Jimmy Hamel

At 197, Hamel remained alive in the third round of the consolations as he faced 11th-nationally ranked junior Eric Lapotsky of Oklahoma. Prior to transferring to Oklahoma as a sophomore in 2008, Lapotsky was a NCAA qualifier at Bucknell the previous year. Hamel was faced with a tough competitor who leads the Oklahoma roster of six-nationally ranked wrestlers in falls with 10 for the season. In the bout with Hamel, Lapotsky displayed his ability from the start with a quick takedown off the whistle followed by a two-point near fall. Lapotsky continued to ride Hamel, accumulating 2:30 of riding time while earning an additional two-point near fall for a 6-0 lead. To start the second, Lapotsky chose to defer with Hamel choosing neutral. Hamel went on the offensive to start the second with numerous attempts for a takedown. Lapotsky countered each shot until he took Hamel down for two points. Hamel fought Lapotsky’s hold however, Lapotsky picked up a two-point near fall and an eventual fall at 4:42. Hamel posted a 1-2 record in his first appearance at the national championships, which allowed him to face the top wrestlers in the nation at 197.

In Green’s second match of the third session, Green faced fellow nationally-ranked MAC opponent, Steve Brown of Central Michigan. Green has faced the 11th-nationally ranked wrestler at 149, two times earlier this season. In the Bulls’ dual with Central Michigan in late January, Green earned a last second 4-3 decision over then tenth-ranked Brown. Brown found revenge on Green at the 2009 MAC Championships by recording a 6-1 decision over Green to take the individual-conference crown at 149.

In the first 22 seconds of the first period, Green jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead off a takedown. Green continued to fight for position on Brown with Brown eventually escaping Green’s grip for one point. With 1:48 remaining, Brown took a 3-2 lead off a takedown on the edge of the mat, which resulted in the action moving out of bounds. On the restart, Brown was called on a caution. To close out the first, Green tied the match at 3-3 with a late escape. To start the second, Green deferred with Brown choosing down. Brown worked out of Green’s grip for an escape to take the lead. In the remaining time, Green was warned for stalling. To start the third, Green chose down. For nearly a minute, Green fought Brown to escape from the bottom position. With 35 seconds remaining in the match, Green earned an escape to tie the match at 4-4. In the end, Brown walked away with a 5-4 decision as he earned a riding point while accumulating 2:11 of riding time. Green ends this year with many accomplishments as a redshirt-freshman including the opportunity to compete in the national championships against top-ranked opponents.

The 2009 National Championships will conclude on Saturday, March 21 at 6:30 pm EST at the Scottrade Center.