Mock named ACC Wrestler of the Week By Steve Phillips Atlantic Coast Conference North Carolina 157-pound freshman Corey Mock has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week following a weekend that included an upset of the nation’s fifth-ranked wrestler and a first-period pin that helped key the Tar Heels to a non-conference victory. Mock scored an 11-5 decision over Virginia Tech’s nationally fifth-ranked and previously unbeaten Jesse Dong in the ACC opener for both teams on Saturday. Mock took control with an early takedown and used two two-point near falls in the second period to add to the lead. Mock’s win temporarily halted the momentum of the fourth-ranked Hokies, who had opened with wins by decision in each of the first four weight classes en route to an eventual 25-9 team victory. Mock helped the Tar Heels bounce back later in the day with a pin of Clarion’s Kyle Braddock in just 1:39. Mock’s six points helped the Tar Heels post a 32-10 victory. The Chapel Hill, N.C., native improved to 26-11 on the season with the two wins. North Carolina returns to action tonight with a 7 p.m. match at Duke. The match will be the ACC opener for the Blue Devils and kicks off a busy week involving ACC teams. Eight more matches are scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including a pair of ACC contests. Virginia wrestles at North Carolina on Friday at 7 p.m., and Maryland plays host to Virginia Tech on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Meuleners named Northern Sun Wrestler of the Week By Nick Kornder Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Matt Meuleners went 4-0 in four dual meet bouts last week, recording two pins and a pair of shutout decisions in the process. Meuleners pinned both his opponents on Wednesday, helping the Wolves to a pair of dominating non-conference victories over Sioux Falls (50-3) and Northwestern College (47-3). He then earned a 9-0 major decision win over Minnesota State’s Nate Haynes on Friday night and a 6-0 victory over Upper Iowa’s Zach Rosol less than 24 hours later. Meuleners is now 16-2 on the season and ranked fourth in the nation.
Zeerip named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week By Bob Healy Big Ten Conference Michigan 157-pounder Brandon Zeerip collects his first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week award after leading the 11th-ranked Wolverines to dual-match wins over No. 21 Purdue on Friday and No. 20 Central Michigan on Sunday. The freshman made his collegiate dual debut against Purdue’s Colton Salazar, pinning the 19th-ranked Boilermaker in 5:27 to help Michigan to a 28-13 victory. Zeerip then notched nine takedowns en route to a 19-8 major decision over Central Michigan’s Eric Cubberly, leading the Wolverines to a 21-12 win over the Chippewas. The back-to-back wins pushed Michigan’s record to 6-2 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten duals. Zeerip now holds a 23-7 overall record this season. Last Michigan Wrestler of the Week: Kellen Russell (Dec. 7, 2010)
Oklahoma's Nathan Fernandez named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week By Taylor Wilson Big 12 Conference Senior Nathan Fernandez helped the Sooners cruise past No. 8 American (22-14) after upsetting AU's third-ranked Ryan Flores, 4-2, at the Lone Star Duals. Fernandez earned two takedowns and an escape over the two-time NCAA qualifier to cap-off the win for OU. He also defeated Harvard's Andrew Knapp by major decision, 12-2. Ranked as the No. 11 heavyweight in the nation, Fernandez had four takedowns, an escape and a nearfall in his match to lead the Sooners past Harvard, 33-8. Fernandez is second on the team with four falls and third with a .889 winning percentage. In December, he won the Cliff Keen Invitational after posting a 5-0 record en route to the title.
Nicholson, Schiedel, Varela named CAA Wrestlers of the Week; Clemente Rookie of the Week By Bud Focht Rider Sports Information James Nicholson of Old Dominion University, Nate Schiedel of Binghamton University and Vince Varela of Hofstra University are the Colonial Athletic Association Wrestlers of the Week for all competition January 11-17. Hofstra’s Zach Clemente is the CAA Rookie of the Week. Nicholson, a senior 125 from Des Moines, Iowa (Theodore Roosevelt), won all four of his matches at the CAA Duals, winning three by fall. His only bout that reached the third period was a 9-3 decision over the 16th ranked wrestler in the nation from Hofstra. Nicholson, ranked fourth in the nation, raised his record to 21-0 on the season. Schiedel, a sophomore 184 from Caledonia, NY (Caledonia Mumford), won all three of his matches at the CAA Duals, two by fall, including a pin in just 18 seconds, and another when he moved up two weight classes. Ranked 10th in the nation, Schiedel improved to 22-4 on the season. Varela, a junior 141 from Rio Rancho, NM, won all four of his matches at the CAA Duals, including a decision over the top ranked 141 in the CAA from Binghamton, a decision over the fourth ranked wrestler in the CAA from ODU, a major decision and a fall. Varela improved to 14-8 on the season. Clemente, a freshman 157 from Troy, NY (La Salle Institute), won all three of his matches at the CAA duals last week, including a 46 second fall and a decision over the sixth ranked 157 in the CAA from Boston U. Clemente collected his 10th collegiate victory.
Carazo named Rocky Mountain Wrestler of the Week By Sarah Meier Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Grand Canyon's Victor Carazo has been named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week after going 4-0 in competition. The wins included a victory over the top-ranked wrestler in the NAIA, as well as victories over wrestlers from New Mexico Highlands, Simon Fraser and Menlo, all by fall. Carazo is 20-3 on the season and unbeaten against non-Division I competition.
Trotman named SoCon Wrestler of the Week By Jonathan Caskey Southern Conference Appalachian State junior Austin Trotman has been named Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week for all competitions from January 12-18. Trotman posted a 3-0 record at the Lonestar Duals last weekend in Arlington, Texas. The junior, who is ranked 25th nationally at 184 pounds, recorded two major decisions and a pin in his three matches against wrestlers from Harvard, Northern Colorado and Utah Valley. Trotman’s pin came at the 1:47 mark against Northern Colorado’s Marcel Gibbons, while his other two victories were by margins of 14-3 and 15-5. The 2010 SoCon Wrestler of the Year is 22-7 on the year, including a perfect 13-0 in dual matches on the season. He has eight major decisions to his credit along with four pins and two technical falls.