Bulls Dominate Ohio in Regular-Season Finale, 27-9 https://t.co/XHF92bffYp
— UB BULLS Wrestling (@UB_Wrestling) February 25, 2024
ATHENS, OH - The University at Buffalo wrestling team closed out the regular season in style with a 27-9 victory at Ohio on Saturday night. The Bulls finished the regular season with 10 overall wins and a 5-3 record in MAC duals.
Buffalo took early control of the dual by winning the first four matches of the night.
Max Elton started things off with a 7-3 decision over Ryan Meek at 125. Elton got a first-period takedown and never looked back.
At 133, Tommy Maddox stayed hot, earning a 14-3 major decision over Mason Brugh. The redshirt-senior finished the regular season by winning four straight matches, including two by major decision.
Caleb Brooks, who had been struggling a bit in recent weeks, came up big for the Bulls at 141. Brooks grew up not far from the Ohio campus and with many friends and family in attendance, got a takedown in the third period to break a 1-1 tie and hold on for the 5-1 decision.
Kaleb Burgess provided the most drama in the 149 bout. For two and a half periods, he was being dominated by Derek Raike, falling behind 14-4. However, midway through the third, Burgess was able to get a reversal and put Raike on his back for the improbable pin to give the Bulls a 16-0 lead.
After dropping a dual at 157, Hunter Shaut got the Bulls back on track with a workmanlike 8-2 decision over Jack Lledo at 165.
Jay Nivison dropped a tight 2-1 decision in a battle of two of the best 174-pounders in the MAC.
At 184, Chase Kranitz needed only 4:07 to pin Robert Gaylord for his second win by fall of the season.
Sam Mitchell finished the regular season perfect in MAC duals, following a 5-1 decision over Ausitn Starr at 197. Mitchell went 7-0 in MAC duals this year.
"I am so proud of this team," head coach John Stutzman said. "A 10-win season and 5-3 in the league is a testament to their commitment to the program. We have dealt with a lot of adversity and these guys are a special group."
The Bulls will next compete at the Mid-American Championships, hosted by Kent State, beginning March 8.
BUFFALO 27, OHIO 9
125: Max Elton (BUFF) over Ryan Meek (OHIO) (Dec 7-3)
133: Tommy Maddox (BUFF) over Mason Brugh (OHIO) (MD 14-3)
141: Caleb Brooks (BUFF) over Aidan Waszak (OHIO) (Dec 5-1)
149: Kaleb Burgess (BUFF) over Derek Raike (OHIO) (Fall 6:07)
157: Peyten Kellar (OHIO) over Nick Stampoulos (BUFF) (Dec 4-0)
165: Hunter Shaut (BUFF) over Jack Lledo (OHIO) (Dec 8-2)
174: Sal Perrine (OHIO) over Jay Nivison (BUFF) (Dec 2-1)
184: Chase Kranitz (BUFF) over Robert Gaylord (OHIO) (Fall 4:07)
197: Sam Mitchell (BUFF) over Austin Starr (OHIO) (Dec 5-1)
285: Jordan Greer (OHIO) over Lonnell Owens-Pabon (BUFF) (Dec 5-1)