KANSAS CITY, MO - University at Buffalo senior Gary Cooper (Adams, NY/South Jefferson) had three goals for his senior season: become Buffalo's all-time win leader; win the Mid-American Conference title and become Buffalo's first Division I wrestling All-American.

In the words of the old Meatloaf song, two out of three ain't bad.

Gary Cooper

Cooper saw his dreams end on Friday afternoon at the NCAA Championships at Kemper Arena when he lost to Cornell's Tyler Baier by a 4-1 score in the consolation bracket. Cooper had split his two matches on the first day of the championships.

The score was tied at 1-1 when Cooper was hit with a stalling call and Baier scored a takedown with less than :15 to clinch the win. Despite the loss, UB head coach Jim Beichner was proud of Cooper's efforts this season.

"Gary had a bit of an up and down career going into his final season, but he really put it all together this year," said Beichner. "It was very satisfying to see him as a fifth-year senior reach his goals of winning a MAC title and getting to the national championships when he had been so close as a true freshman. He finished his career realizing the potential we all knew he had and for that he can leave with his head held high."

Cooper finishes his Buffalo career with a school-record 113 wins, while his 39 dual meet wins rank third-best all-time. He also holds the school record for single-season victories when he recorded 37 wins during the 1999-2000 season.

Buffalo's other qualifier, sophomore Labe Black (Ventnor, NJ/Absegami) lost both of his matches Thursday to be eliminated.