University at Buffalo
NCAA Championships
Ariola and Cotten Advance to Friday at NCAA Championships
3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
NEW YORK – Joe Ariola upset third-ranked Victor Avery of Edinboro to highlight the first day of action at the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Colt Cotten pinned his opponent in his consolation match and both wrestlers advanced to Friday action.
Ariola, competing at the NCAAs for the first time in his career, held off Avery to win a 7-4 decision. It was Avery's third trip to nationals. Ariola dropped a 9-1 major decision to 14th-ranked Willie Miklus of Missouri in the second round. Ariola will take on Illinois' Jeff Koepke in the consolation bracket tomorrow.
Cotten had some chances late, but lost a close 2-1 decision to Arizona State's Matthew Kraus in his first match of the day. Cotten rebounded to pin John Fathy of SIU Edwardsville just 1:03 into the match. It was the second fastest pin of the tournament. Cotten will face Mitch Finesilver of Duke tomorrow.
Bryan Lantry, the third Bulls competing at the NCAAs, dropped a 14-0 major decision to Cameron Kelly of Ohio in his first match. The redshirt-freshman was eliminated after falling to NC State's Jamal Morris, 8-3, in the wrestlebacks.
"We wrestled hard today. I am proud of our effort," head coach John Stutzman said. "This is a tough tournament, and to push two guys through is another step for this program."
Action resumes at 11 am tomorrow.
