The story to the Bobcats season is quite simply this: they’re young.
Yet, not only have they been tested but they’ve been road tested. That will all change Sunday when Ohio takes on Buffalo at home in The Convo.
Ohio (1-2) has had consistent results as a team thus far into the season. Facing schools like Pittsburgh, Campbell and West Virginia, Ohio has demonstrated an immense amount of grit in the Mountaineer Open earlier in November. While only defeating host West Virginia, the Bobcats clawed back against both Pitt and Campbell.
It was from this tournament that it became a little less foggy on who to expect to be the major keys to this year’s team. As mentioned in a previous Post story sophomore Shakur Laney (125 lbs) and junior Noah Forrider (145) are primed with lofty expectations. Both Laney and Forrider went undefeated in the Mountaineer Open as well as both placing first in the Bearcat Open in New York on Nov.13.
The pair then took second and fifth place respectively at the Navy Open on Nov. 19. Now with more than three weeks passed by, a rested Laney, Forrider and the rest of the Ohio team looks to take on the Bulls.
Looking at the opponent:
The 2016-2017 campaign for Buffalo is eerily similar to that of the Bobcats. Having several first place finishers at their first tournament this season, the Bulls rode that momentum into their first dual of the season against nationally ranked Cornell.
Jumping out to 9-0 lead against the number seven Big Red with wins coming from the 125, 133 and 141 lbs weight divisions, Buffalo’s youth was almost non-existent even though true freshman Derek Spann (125 lbs) and redshirt sophomore Bryan Lantry (133) provided huge wins by decision — Lantry’s victory was over nationally ranked Mark Grey.
However, the youth of Buffalo and sheer talent of Cornell met as the Big Red won the next five of seven matches ultimately giving them the 18-15 victory.
Following the disappointing loss, the Bulls wrestled at the Grapple at the Garden where they split the day after defeating George Mason and losing to Princeton.
Ohio and Buffalo will face off this Sunday at The Convo with the first match expected to start at 1:00.
