#8 Kevin Smith Sets Dual Wins Record

Over the course of the next six weeks we will be counting down the Top 12 stories of the 2011-12 year.  Each Monday and Thursday we will reveal a new story, until we reach the top moment, which will be unveiled in mid July.

Coming into the 2011-12 season, senior Kevin Smith had a lot on his plate. Aside from a move to a new weight class, the fifth-year wrestler was also asked to be the veteran leader of one of the youngest teams in the program’s recent history. The Mexico, NY native not only excelled on the mat, but he also continued to be a leader in the classroom.

Smith finished his career at Buffalo with a 29-9 overall record, including 16-5 in dual meets (tied for seventh most in a single season). In November, he became the seventh wrestler in program history to reach 100 career wins after winning his dual match at home against Michigan. His final total of 122 comes in at second on the all-time list and his 52 career wins in dual meets are a new program record.

"I came into the season knowing it would happen pretty early," Smith said about reaching 100 career wins. "And to be able to do it at home in front of all these fans and against a top-10 team is just awesome." 

Smith recorded 25 takedowns and a team-high three wins by fall in dual meets. He also won his third career New York State Championship and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler, making him the second Buffalo wrestler to ever pull off the feat, joining Ray Pfeiffer's three titles in 1975-1977. Only 19 other wrestlers in the tournament's history have won three.

At the end of the season, Smith reached another career milestone. Currently enrolled in the doctoral program for physical therapy, Kevin was named to the Mid-American Conference’s All-Academic Team and NWCA Academic Team for the fourth straight seasons, and he also was one of five UB athletes named to the SUNY Chancellor’s Scholar-Athlete Award.