Hamel and Green Ranked First in MAC Preseason Individual Rankings

Bulls ranked fifth in preseason team rankings

CLEVELAND, OH — The Mid-American Conference wrestling coaches in conjuction with the league offices have announced the 2009 preseason individual rankings. Appearing on the list, 20th nationally-ranked junior Jimmy Hamel at 197 and 16th nationally-ranked sophomore Desi Green at 149, each ranked at the top of their respective weight classes. In the preseason MAC team rankings, the University at Buffalo wrestling team has been predicted to finish fifth.

Desi Green

Three additional Bulls were listed in the top four of their individual weight classes. At 125, senior Dan Bishop occupies third while Kevin Smith and John-Martin Cannon are slated in the fourth spot at 133 and 165, respectively.

In the preseason team rankings, the 2009 MAC champion Central Michigan are tabbed to finish first in the conference. Selected to closely trail the 13th nationally-ranked Chippewas is Kent State. In third place is Northern Illinois followed by Ohio, Buffalo and Eastern Michigan.

Jimmy Hamel

The six schools were ranked based on the number of first through fourth-place votes that were earned in the individual voting system. A first-place vote was worth four team points; a second-place vote earned three team points; third-seeded votes were worth two team points, while a fourth-place tally earned that team one point in the team ranking system.

Buffalo opens its 2009-10 dual meet schedule at Alumni Arena on Saturday, November 7 as they host Ashland University at 12:00 pm. The Bulls hold an overall record of 5-8 against the Eagles in 13 meetings. Saturday's meeting will mark the first time the two teams will meet since the 1994-95 season when the Bulls fell to the Eagles, 32-12.

2009-10 MAC Preseason Poll
1. Central Michigan (28)
2. Kent State (26)
3. Northern Illinois (16)
4. Ohio (13)
5. Buffalo (12)
6. Eastern Michigan (5)