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Budd, Needle Claim Mat Town USA Tournament Titles

Ryan Needle

In a change of course from last year's event, the Mat Town USA Tournament was an open event instead of a team-scoring one, allowing a total of nine schools to participate.

Budd, who is ranked in the top 10 in three of the major five national ranking polls, remained dominant as he upped his overall 2006-07 record to 11-0. The Orrville, OH native posted three victories to capture his second Mat Town title in as many years, including a 15-6 major decision against B.J. Compton of Old Dominion. Needle, wrestling at 149 pounds, went 4-0 with a major decision. He downed Lock Haven's Daniel Harrington, 3-1, in the finals.

Mark Budd

At 174 pounds, juniors Mickey Moran (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler Area) and Nate Rock (Ephrata, PA/Ephrata) each went 3-0 going into the final match, as both would settle for a tie for first place. Junior Mike Ragusa (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) cruised into the final event after winning two matches at 165 pounds, but fell to nationally-ranked Dave Rella of Penn State by an 8-4 count.

Placing third at the open tournament were redshirt freshmen Jason Hilliard (Genoa, NY/Southern Cayuga) at 149 lbs., Ricky Scott (Walden, NY/Valley Central) at 197 lbs., and junior Jeff Parker (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) at 285 lbs. After falling in the preliminary round, Hilliard went on a five-match win streak to earn the placing. Scott won four-straight in the consolation bracket, posting three falls and two major decisions in the process.

Redshirt freshman Andrew Stella (Tonawanda, NY/Sweet Home) earned a fifth-place finish at 141 pounds, while senior Ray Lamb (Vineland, NJ/Absegami) and freshman Jimmy Hamel (Natick, MA/Natick) both settled for a tie for fifth at 197 pounds.

Buffalo next travels to Las Vegas, Nevada for the 25th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on Friday, Dec. 1. The two-day event is an all-day affair that will include over 50 colleges, including 13 of the top 25 Division I wrestling schools in the country.