From the get-go, there was no stopping the Bobcats, as Ohio defeated Buffalo 25-9 in the Bobcats' home opener Sunday afternoon.
Ohio’s Shakur Laney continued his hot start to the 2016-2017 campaign by defeating Buffalo’s Derek Spann by major decision in the first matchup of the day. The sophomore from Canal Winchester has only lost once this year as he looks to continue to keep rolling.
“I just keep believing in myself and it’s been working out,” Laney said.
Laney is the nationally ranked, No. 17, 125-pound weight class and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament last season as a freshman.
From Laney’s major decision, things heated up for the Bobcats as they won the next two matches including with decisions in favor of sophomore Cameron Kelley (133 pounds) and redshirt junior Noah Forrider (141pounds).
Buffalo’s Colt Cotton, wrestling at 149 pounds, put a stop in the Bobcats’ then shut out by winning by decision.
The momentum for the Bulls didn’t last long as redshirt junior Cullen Cummings (157 pounds) earned a victory by decision. Following Cummings’ win, redshirt sophomore Austin Reese (165 pounds) had an electrifying pin to put the Bobcats up 19-3.
“Bonus points are what win you dual meets,” coach Joel Greenlee said. “Winning by a pin is essentially winning two matches in one.”
Ohio and Buffalo split the remaining four matches with the Bobcats earning victories by junior Arsen Ashughyan (174 pounds) and redshirt freshman Bailey Faust (197 pounds) with Ohio defeating the Bulls by 16 team points.
“That’s the kind of dominance you want to see,” Greenlee said. “I thought it was going to be a dogfight all throughout.”
Ohio (2-2, 1-0 MAC) earned its first conference win of the season. According to Greenlee, a win like the one today gives the team “confidence.”
The Bobcats are back in action next Sunday as they take on Missouri at 10 a.m in The Convo.
