UB Press Release - Oklahoma Gold Tournament

Bulls Earn Two Titles at Oklahoma Gold Classic

BROCKPORT, NY - Fresh off an exciting dual meet against nationally ranked Oklahoma University, members of the Buffalo Bulls wrestling team headed to Brockport, NY for the Oklahoma Gold Classic, hosted by the Sooners. Two Bulls earned individual titles and the team as a whole finished fifth in a loaded tournament that ran all day Saturday.

Junior Kevin Smith finished off a solid two-day stretch by making it through the 133-pound bracket unscathed and winning an individual title. The Mexico, NY native won four straight matches, including a tight rematch against Dustin Reed of Oklahoma and a win over Reed's OU teammate Jordan Keller, 9-3, to win the championship.

The team's second title came at 149 pounds, with junior Desi Green looking to rebound after falling at the Oklahoma dual. After beating Dexter Lederer of nationally ranked Maryland in the first round, Green soon found himself matched up against Mario Mason of Rutgers, ranked fourteenth in the nation. Green, who hails from just down the road from Brockport, beat Mason 4-1 to make the finals. He then edged out Clarion's Anthony White 4-3 to win his second tournament in as many weeks.

The Bulls placed several other wrestlers in the top six in multiple divisions. Sophomore Andrew Schutt placed fifth at 141, junior John-Martin Cannon placed fifth at 165, sophomore Mark Lewandowski placed sixth at 157 and senior Jimmy Hamel put up a fourth place showing. In the heavyweight division, sophomore Brett Correll also placed fourth.

The team as a whole will have a much needed rest before hitting the road again next Saturday. Next up will be the Body Bar Invitational, hosted by Cornell, currently the top-ranked team in the nation. The team will look to boost it's national profile against more of the top wrestlers and teams in the country. For fans of the Bulls, the tournament will run all day and will start at 9:00 am.

Team Rankings

1. 145.5 #8 Oklahoma
2. 124.5 #23 Rutgers
3. 101.5 Maryland
4. 95 Clarion
5. 89 Buffalo
6. 75 Army
7. 68 American
8. 17 Brockport

Notable Bulls Placing

133 - Kevin Smith: 1st
141 - Andrew Schutt: 5th
149 - Desi Green: 1st
157 - Mark Lewandowski: 6th
165 - John-Martin Cannon: 5th
184 - Jimmy Hamel: 4th
HWT: Brett Correll: 4th