Moran Earns Top Four Finish at University Nationals

16 Buffalo wrestlers complete in the prestigious national event

Mickey Moran

AKRON, OH – The University at Buffalo sent 16 wrestlers to the 2008 USA Wrestling University National Championships this past weekend at The University of Akron. Mickey Moran (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler Area) was the highest finishing Buffalo wrestler, taking home fourth place at 185 pounds. Two other Bulls, Dylan Dabolt (Attica, NY/Attica) and Jimmy Hamel (Natick, MA/Natick), took home top 12 finishes in their respective weight classes.

Moran won his first four matches of the tournament, advancing to the semifinals. In his third bout, Moran squared off with fellow Mid-American Conference wrestler Eric Chine of Kent State. Moran bested Chine, 0-1, 3-0, 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals. In the quarters, Moran knocked off Minnesota State's Sonny Yohn, 1-0, 0-1, 1-0. Moran suffered his first loss of the tournament in the semifinals, falling to Dave Bertolino, a NCAA All-American from Iowa State. Moran then defeated Missouri's Dorian Henderson in wrestlebacks, 1-0, 2-0 to earn a spot in the third-place match where he fell to another Missouri wrestler, All-American Raymond Jordan, 2-0, 6-0.

Jimmy Hamel

Also wrestling at 185 pounds, Hamel earned a 3-2 record while recording a top 12 finish. Three-straight victories to begin the tournament earned Hamel a spot in the quarterfinals. Hamel's second victory came over NCAA Qualifier Ian Murphy of Cal State Fullerton, 4-2, 2-3, 4-2. In the round of 16, Hamel knocked off North Carolina's Alex Maciag, a 2006 NCAA Qualifier, 1-1, 1-4, 3-1. Hamel dropped a close decision in his quarterfinal bout to fellow MAC wrestler Dustin Kilgore of Kent State, 3-5, 4-0, 5-4. He then fell in wrestleback action to Andy Johnson, 3-0, 2-0.

Wrestling at 121 pounds, Dabolt won his first two matches en route to a top 12 finish. Dabolt defeated Frank Lomas in his first match, 4-3, 4-1 and then out-wrestled Andrew Taylor, 1-0, 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals. In the quarters, Dabolt fell to Virginia's Ross Gitiomer, a 2008 NCAA Qualifier, 1-0, 3-0. Dabolt then fell in wrestlebacks to Lock Haven's Obenson Blanc, 2-0, 2-0.

Dylan Dabolt

The University National Championships features some of the top collegiate wrestlers in the country, including dozens of NCAA Division I All-Americans and qualifiers. The event also serves an a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials as well as the University World Team Trials.

04/15/2008