BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo wrestler Labe Black (Ventnor, NJ/Absegami) was honored recently by Amateur Wrestling News on its AWN All-Freshman team as the No. 1-ranked grappler at 157 pounds.

Labe Black

Black, the all-time win leader in New Jersey prep history, finished his freshman season with a 17-12 record and finished third at the Mid-American Conference championships at 157 pounds. He was ranked ahead of Pittsburgh's Zach Doll (17-10 reecord), Michigan's Pat Owen (18-15), North Dakota State's Thad Pike and Lock Haven's Jason Gilligan.

Black led all UB wrestlers with seven pins in his first season and posted 10 dual meet victories. Black chose Buffalo over Lehigh, Penn State, Clarion and Penn after being ranked No. 1 in the nation in his weight class as a senior. He was also named the New Jersey Wrestler of the Year after the 1998-99 and 1996-97 seasons.

Head coach Jim Beichner has led the Bulls to a 61-29-2 record over his six seasons and has guided 12 wrestlers to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances during that time. The Bulls had three MAC champions last season, the most of any Mid-American school.