Anyone who has participated in organized sports clubs and teams know that there is a critical point in the season, the one point that can make or break the season and determine if all the players' efforts until that point had been for nothing.
For the UB Wrestling team, this kind of pressure and do-or-die mentality does not apply since they have been doing well all season, coming into this weekend with a 6-2 overall record. Nonetheless, hosting the 34th annual New York State Collegiate Championships this weekend does bring a little bit of pressure for the Bulls to do well.
The championship starts with its first session on Friday morning from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., when preliminary rounds are held. Session II begins consolation match-ups and quarterfinals at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Another round of consolation matches and the semi-finals begin at 11 a.m. Saturday morning until 3:30 p.m., and then finally the championship finals run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wrestling fans and sports fans in general can appreciate the diversity in style and talent that will be present from the vast number of athletes attending this prestigious event. The invitation list is as follows: Alfred State, SUNY Binghamton, Brockport State, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Cobleskill, Columbia University, Cornell University, Hofstra, Hunter College, Ithaca, SUNY Morrisville Junior College, Nassau Community College, NYU, Niagara County Community College, Oneonta State, Oswego State, R.I.T., Tompkins-Cortland, Army, Kings Point College, and Wagner.
The biggest threats to UB's quest for a team championship are Hofstra, Army, and top 10 ranked Cornell (ranked No. 4 by The Wrestling Mall and W.I.N. Magazine). Having won the championship last year, Cornell would have a very formidable team this year as well were it not for an invitation to a national meet this weekend. Because of this invitation, Cornell's top dogs will not be attending the NYS Championship and Cornell's chances at taking home their second consecutive title seem small. Hofstra and Army are bringing their whole team to the championships.
Buffalo's wrestlers are going to be pulling for a very attainable team championship as well. Senior Gary Cooper will be aiming to break the record of former UB standout Josh States for most career wins (102) in UB wrestling history. Cooper currently has 100 career wins, and with a dominating performance can have the record by the championship's end. Cooper and States are the only two UB wrestlers to have notched 100 or more career wins in their collegiate career.
Of course, no team can win a team championship solely through the efforts of a single athlete, but the Bulls do not have to worry about a lack of performance from other wrestlers. Sophomore Mike Sebaaly has been a pleasant surprise for the Bulls this season as he has steadily shown strong performances throughout the year and has a fourth place ranking in the MAC in the 125-pound weight class. Classmate Dave Edwards is also having a strong season with a third place ranking for the 149-pound weight class. Sophomore Labe Black is ranked fourth in the 157-pound division, Cooper is ranked second in the 174-pound weight class, and junior standout Garret Bontempo is ranked second in the 184-pound class.
A question mark looms over the status of the dominant sophomore Kyle
Having failed to see any of their athletes with a championship last year, the Bulls have something to prove this year. With UB's wrestlers continuing to wrestle in their dominating fashion, a team championship and a plethora of individual champions would be a gratifying reward indeed.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
