WRESTLING SEASON KICKS OFF AT BUFFALO OPEN

BUFFALO, N.Y. (November 5, 2006) - Kelvin Valencia (Hartford, Conn.) went 3-2 on the day in the heavyweight division and advanced to the quarterfinals as the American International College wrestling team opened the 2006-07 season at the University of Buffalo Open on Sunday.  The meet was a non-scoring meet.

"It was a great tournament for the team even though we failed to place a single wrestler," said first-year AIC coach Chaz Seibert.  "I feel facing tough opposition early in the season will make the guys that much tougher down the road"

Valencia advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Buffalo's Mike Germano 11-0 and Colin Thompson of Niagara 4-2 before losing to eventual division champion Zach Hammond of Cornell 7-1.  Valencia then defeated Tim Smeal of Gannon 7-2 before bowing out against Buffalo's Jason Weber.

Also winning matches for the Yellow Jackets were Martin Thompson (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) at 165, and freshmen Nick Laurino (Merick, N.Y.) at 157 and Jeff Haddad (Old Saybrook, Conn.) at 133.

AIC is now idle until its home opener Monday, November 13 when it hosts UMass Amherst in a dual meet starting at 6:30 pm.