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BUFFALO, NY - On Tuesday, the University at Buffalo wrestling program honored its 2003-04 team award winners at UB's annual Athletic Awards Banquet, which was held at the Four Points Sheraton. Five different individuals from head coach Jim Beichner's team received awards at the ceremony.

Kyle Cerminara

Junior Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) was given The Bob Rich Outstanding Wrestler Award, while senior Ed Pawlak (Lakewood, NY/Southwestern) was honored with the Coaches' Award. Freshman Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette) was named Top Newcomer, while junior Cliff Smith (Merrick, NY/Calhoun) was recognized as the team's Most Improved Wrestler.

Mike Trotta

Additionally, senior Mike Trotta (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) was honored University-wide with the Chrisy Dickerson Unsung Hero Award. The honor is selected by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to recognize an individual who makes a significant athletic contribution and also shows dedication, unselfishness and contribution to their team.

Ed Pawlak

Cerminara received The Bob Rich Outstanding Wrestler Award, which is named for the founder of the UB intercollegiate wrestling program. Cerminara, who became UB's first-ever male Division I All-American, finished with a 41-6 record on the season. His 41 victories shattered UB's previous single-season wins record of 37 set by Gary Cooper during the 1999-2000 season. Cerminara's eighth-place finish was the highest ever by a UB wrestler at the Division I NCAA Championships. He also won his second Mid-American Conference Championship at 197 pounds.

Mark McKnight

Pawlak, who received the Coaches' Award, finished the season with a record of 39-9. He won the 174-pound MAC Championship and advanced to the All-America Round of the NCAA Championships before being eliminated.

Cliff Smith

McKnight, the team's Top Newcomer, went 34-8 on the season, including a MAC Championship. He also advanced to the All-America Round of the NCAA Championships before bowing out, but was the only true freshman to advance that far within the 125-pound weight class. He was named Freshman of the Year by both the MAC and the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Coaches Association.

Smith, who was named Most Improved Wrestler, posted a 26-16 record at 133 pounds. He more than doubled his win total from the 2002-03 season, when he went 12-14.

Following a 12-5 regular season, the Bulls posted a 33rd-place finish at the NCAA Championships, which was the best finish in school history. The 2004 NCAA Championships also marked the first time in the program's history that three wrestlers advanced to the All-America Round, at which point Cerminara posted a win to become the school's first-ever male Division I All-American.