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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo wrestling squad presented its team awards for the 2000-01 season at the annual Athletic Awards Banquet, held on Tuesday, May 1 at Samuel's Grande Manor.

Freshman Labe Black (Ventnor, NJ/Absegami) was selected as the Top Newcomer, while senior Dave Guarino (Derby, NY/Lakeshore) earned the Most Improved Player Award. Senior Shawn Kegel (Wantagh, NY/MacArthur) received the Coach's Award, and senior John Eschenfelder (North Syracuse, NY/Cicero-N. Syracuse) was named the team's Most Valuable Player. In addition, Eschenfelder was also recognized as UB's Male Athlete of the Year.

The Top Newcomer Award is presented to the individual student- athlete who distinguishes himself as the most talented new player on the team or the individual who accomplishes the greatest achievements as a first-year player. Black finished his freshman year with a 17-12 overall record while going 3-2 in Mid-American Conference matches. Wrestling at the 157-pound weight class, he recorded one second-place finish, at the Bloomsburg Invitational, and two third-place finishes, at the New York State Championships and at the MAC Championships.

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student- athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in his performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Guarino finished the year with a 21-16 record, 3-2 in the MAC, and qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career. He recorded first-place finishes at 165 pounds at the New York State Championships and at the MAC Championships.

The Coach's Award is given to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the team virtues as defined by the head coach. The recipient is one who stands out in dedication, commitment, unselfishness and enthusiasm towards helping the team improve. Kegel finished the 2000-01 season with a 29-6 record, 3-2 in the MAC, and he closed out his career with a 59-16 record. Kegel qualified for the NCAA Championships as a junior and a senior. This past season, he finished third at 133 pounds at the Las Vegas Invitational, marking the highest finish ever for a UB wrestler.

The Most Valuable Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through his skills and leadership. Eschenfelder finished the 2000-01 season with a 21-5 overall record while going 4-1 in MAC matches and being consistently ranked in the top 15 nationwide among heavyweights. He finished his UB career with an 83-42 overall record, and he became UB wrestling's first-ever two -time MAC Champion, winning the heavyweight title in each of his last two seasons.

The Bulls completed their 2000-01 season with an 11-6 overall dual meet record while going 3-2 in MAC competition and placing fourth at the MAC Championships. Four wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Championships, the most ever in one year, and they guided the Bulls to a 48th-place finish.