Sports
Ohio Wrestling Continues Winning Ways Against Buffalo
By: Rob Ellerhorst
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The Ohio Bobcats strolled into Buffalo and took care of business against their conference rival Bulls, heading back to Athens with a 31-7 dual victory to cap off the weekend sweep.
Two days after their Friday night 23-10 win over Northern Illinois, it’s safe to say the Bobcats are feeling good about themselves and the way they’ve been wrestling. They’ve now won three in a row and have a week long break to prepare for their next opponent.
The match against Buffalo was reflective of the year Ohio has had so far. The guys they have relied on all year came through when they had to and showed why they are among the best in the MAC.
Freshman 125lb Shakur Laney continued his hot streak by topping Buffalo’s Kyle Adkins in the second match. He had a quick takedown to start the first and then went on to ride on top for nearly the entire first period. After adding another takedown in the second and two more via riding time, Laney surrendered a last second takedown but came out winning 6-4.
Anyone that might not have heard of Ohio’s 133lb Cameron Kelly were not given the time to look him during his match. Quickly putting Buffalo’s Bryan Lantry on his back, Kelly put six points on the board for the Bobcats, and they never again looked back.
The 165lb match between Austin Reese and Buffalo’s Tyler Rill looked like it may be evenly matched after a scoreless first period, but the tides turned big time in the second. Working quickly after putting Rill on his back for four, Reese threw in a half and turned him back over, not giving a second chance this time. The pin put Ohio up 21-7 with the big matches still to come.
Many who know how skilled Ohio’s 174lb Cody Walters is probably anticipated him to make quick work of Buffalo’s Muhamed McBryde. They probably did not expect the defensive struggle that followed McBryde’s quick takedown to start the first. Walters escaped and the score remained 2-1 well into the third period. Then around the 0:30 mark Walters reversed for a takedown and added a point for riding time, winning 5-2 and making the score 24-7, Bobcats ahead.
The last match of the day featured Ohio’s Phil Wellington and Buffalo’s James Benjamin in the 197lb class. Being so close to the country’s border, members of Phil’s family living in Canada were able to make the trip to see him wrestle, and he made sure not to disappoint. In a mostly one-sided match, he picked up five takedowns and an escape, finishing his match and ending the day with a 12-4 win. Wellington’s win cappedoff the 31-7 dual win.
The win evened up Ohio’s MAC record at 3-3, and puts the team at 8-3 overall this season. With Missouri’s win over Central Michigan, Ohio continues to climb up in the standings. It is now up to third place behind Missouri and Kent State.
The Bobcats will be in action next January 31 when they take on Northern Iowa.