Michigan’s Russell Earns Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Honors By Bob Healy Big Ten Conference Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Kellen Russell, Michigan Jr. – 141 – High Bridge, N.J. – Blair Academy Michigan’s Kellen Russell takes home Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors for the second time in his career after earning the 141-pound title at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational last weekend. Russell won five bouts, including three over ranked opponents, en route to his second Las Vegas Invitational title. The third-ranked junior began the event with a 13-2 major decision over North Dakota State’s Trevor Johnson, following with a 4-1 decision over Boise State’s Josh Strait in the second round. Russell defeated 17th-ranked Cole VonOhlen of Air Force, 4-3, to advance to the semifinals. He then pinned No. 2 Jimmy Kennedy of Illinois in 1:16 before defeating Cal Poly’s ninth-ranked Boris Novachkov, 3-2, to earn the title. The five wins push Russell’s record to 10-0 this season. Last Michigan Wrestler of the Week: Sean Boyle (Nov. 16, 2010) 2010-11 Big Ten Wrestlers of the Week Nov. 9: Ian Paddock, So., OSU Nov. 16: Kyle Dooley, So., ILL; Sean Boyle, So., MICH Nov. 23: Travis Rutt, Jr., WIS Nov. 30: Paul Young, Sr., IND Dec. 7: Kellen Russell, Jr., MICH
Maryland’s Letts repeats as ACC Wrestler of the Week By Steve Phillips Atlantic Coast Conference GREENSBORO, N.C. – Maryland 174-pound senior Mike Letts has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week for the second week in a row after a standout performance in the Penn State Nittany Lion Open. The honor comes one week after Letts and Virginia’s Chris Henrich were named ACC Co-Wrestlers of the Week on Nov. 30. The eighth-ranked Letts defeated all six of his opponents in the Open, including a 9-4 victory over 14th-ranked Ed Ruth of Penn State in the title match. Letts, a native of Parkersburg, Pa., also won by technical fall (16-0) over Virginia Tech’s Angelo Malvestuto and by major decision (10-2) over Lehigh’s Shane Stark. Letts added decision victories over three other opponents, including a 2-1 win over Rutgers’ Alex Caruso in the semifinals. Caruso entered the match ranked 20th by AWN Magazine. Letts improved his record for the season to 15-1, including a 3-1 record against fellow InterMat top-15 opponents.
Moorhead's Corey Ulmer named NSIC Wrestler of the Week By Nick Kornder Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference NSIC Wrestler of the Week Corey Ulmer (125 lbs, R-Jr., Wishek, N.D. / Ashley-Wishek HS) MSU Moorhead Corey Ulmer, the top-seeded wrestler in the Dragon Open, took home the championship at 125 pounds. He notched two major decisions in a row to start his day, including a 10-0 win over Phillip Levine of NCAA Division-I North Dakota State and a 12-2 win over Kellan Zietz of Minot State. In the semi-finals, Ulmer defeated Brandon Goodwin of Sioux Falls by a 10-4 final to advance to the championship match against Augsburg’s Joshua Roberts (ranked #2 in nation in DIII). In the finals, Ulmer came back from a 2-1 deficit to tie the match at 2-2 as time expired. In the first sudden victory overtime period, Ulmer held Roberts and did not allow a point. Ulmer wasted no time in securing the win as his escape gave him the final point and the championship.
Saunders named SoCon Wrestler of the Week By Jonathan Caskey Southern Conference SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG senior Andrew Saunders has been named Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week for all competitions from December 1-7. Saunders had a strong showing at the prestigious 29th Annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this past weekend as he came away with third-place honors at 184 pounds. He began the tournament with a 7-2 decision before scoring a second-period pin against Ohio State’s Peter Capone. In the quarterfinals, Saunders upset Purdue’s A.J. Kissel, ranked fifth nationally, 5-2 to advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals, Saunders fell to No. 11 Travis Rutt from Wisconsin and moved into the consolation bracket. Saunders then took down another Big Ten wrestler as he scored a 5-4 overtime win against Illinois’ Tony Dallago. In the consolation finals, Saunders had a rematch with No. 5 Kissel and once again came out victorious, this time by a 3-2 score, to earn third-place honors. Saunders, ranked 15th in the nation going into the weekend, is now ranked as high as eighth at 184 pounds by TheOpenMat.com and ninth by WrestlingReport.com. He checks in at No. 11 in the InterMat rankings this week, as well.
Ben Hohensee named RMAC Wrestler of the Week By Sarah Meier Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Ben Hohensee went 5-0 to win the 285-pound class at the Fort Hays State/Bob Smith Open. It was his second top-two finish this season. He won three matches by decision and two by fall. Hohensee upset top-seeded Taylor Escamilla of Nebraska-Omaha in the semifinals using a last-second takedown to win. In the finals, Hohensee pinned Chadron State's Sam Udell in 3:40. He also beat Oklahoma's Kyle Colling, 2-1, in the quarters.