SOURCE: ubbulls.com

February 27, 2021

Petite Qualifies for the NCAAs on Final Day of MAC Championships#UBhornsUP https://t.co/EAKeCpsWS7

— UB BULLS Wrestling (@UB_Wrestling) February 27, 2021

TRENTON, NJ - Michael Petite won a 15-6 major decision over Peter Pappas of Edinboro in a match to determine true fourth place and a spot as a NCAA qualifier on the final day of competition at the Mid-American Conference Championships on Saturday afternoon in Trenton, NJ. The sophomore put up some dominant performances on Saturday, going 3-1 with two pins, to qualify for the NCAA Championships for the first time in his career.

Petite won his first match of the day by pinning George Mason's Daniel Segura at the 5:51 mark. After dropping a close decision to Central Michigan's Johnny Lovett in his next match, Petite made quick work of Cleveland State's Daniel Patten in the fifth-place match, pinning him in just 1:58. That win set up a final match for true fourth place against Pappas.

Petite was in control from the get-go against Pappas, jumping out to an early 4-1 lead and never looking back. The redshirt-sophomore cruised to a 15-6 major decision.

Elsewhere, Sam Schuyler also earned a spot on the podium with a fifth place finish at 285. The redshirt-junior began the day with a 9-5 decision over Clarion's Tyler Bagoly. However, he stumbled against third-seeded Zach Elam of Missouri and had to settle for a spot in the fifth-place final. Schuyler held off SIU-Edwardsville's Colton McKiernan to snare fifth place.

Derek Spann started off strong on Saturday with a pin of Clarion's Kyle Schickel. Trailing 6-2, Spann was able to flip the script and pin Schickel at the 4:31 mark. However, Spann had a tough draw for his next bout, falling to top seed Allan Hart of Missouri. The redshirt-senior lost to Edinboro's Gabe Willochell in the fifth-place match.

Tristan Daugherty lost two tightly contested battles on Saturday. The true freshman first dropped a 1-0 decision to George Mason's Josh Jones and then in the seventh-place match, dropped a 2-1 decision to Edinboro's Lucas Rodriguez.

"We fought hard today," head coach John Stutzman said. "Four placers is never what you shoot for, but we are young and we will continue to improve. I'm incredibly proud of Petite for battling his way into the NCAAs. Sam had a heck of a tournament. There were nine nationally ranked heavyweights throughout the season and he finished fifth, beating a couple national qualifiers.

"Spann battled to sixth. He is a warrior. Tristan finished eighth and has a chance to be special."

The NCAA Championships begin March 18 in St. Louis. The Bulls are hoping Spann and Schuyler can earn wildcards and join Petite in the Gateway to the West.