Nebraska’s Robert Kokesh named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Robert Kokesh, Nebraska
165 – Fr. – Wagner, S.D. – Wagner
·        Posted a 5-0 decision over Wyoming’s third-ranked Shane Onufer
·        Helped No. 21 Nebraska defeat No. 14 Wyoming, 19-15, to move to 5-0 this season
·        Decision gave the Huskers a 16-9 lead with two bouts remaining
·        Win helped then-No. 10 Kokesh move up to No. 5 nationally at 165 pounds this week
·        Collects Nebraska’s first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week award

Tad Merritt named Northern Sun Wrestler of the Week
St. Cloud State University senior Tad Merritt (Canby/Canby H.S.) has been selected as the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Wrestler of the Week on Dec. 12. A team captain for the Huskies in 2011-12, Merritt earned the honor thanks to his first place finish in the 174-pound division at the 2011 Holiday Inn Husky Open on Dec. 10 in St. Cloud, Minn.

Merritt scored a perfect 4-0 record in tournament action, which included two pins and a major decision. To open the tournament, Merritt posted a 1:50 pin over Javon Davis (unattached). Merritt then scored a 14-4 major decision over Augsburg’s Justin Bowland. In the semi’s, Merritt notched a 4:49 pin against Brendan Eichmann of Minnesota State. 

In the battle for first place at 174-pounds, Merritt charted a huge 8-7 overtime victory over UW-Parkside’s Luke Rynish, the nation’s number two ranked wrestler at 174-pounds. Merritt now owns a 13-2 record this season for the #3 Huskies. 

For his work at the Husky Open, Merritt was named the tournament's John Oxton Award Winner (MVP). The award is named after longtime SCSU wrestling Coach John Oxton, who led the Huskies from 1967 to 1987.

Of note, Merritt is currently ranked #1 in the nation at 165-pounds and will most likely move down to that weight class for the remainder of the season. This marked the fourth consecutive season that Merritt has won first place honors at the Husky Open.

Alan Waters named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
Mizzou sophomore Alan Waters was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, as announced Monday afternoon by the league office. It’s the first career weekly honor for Missouri’s 125 pounder, and the first honoree for the Tigers since Todd Schavrien won last December.
 
Waters went 5-0 at the Kaufman-Brand Open last Sunday, Dec. 4, with four of his matches coming via first period falls. His fifth win, coming in the championship bout, was won by technical fall.
 
On Friday against No. 20 Kent State, Waters opened the dual with a dominating 12-1 major decision victory over No. 2 Nic Bedelyon. Waters opened the scoring with a takedown midway through the first period, and tilted Bedelyon to the mat twice for a pair of three point nearfalls to take a commanding 8-0 lead. After a scoreless second period, Waters worked an escape and another takedown to go with riding time.
 
The Kansas City, Mo., native is 8-0 on the season (3-0 in duals), with all eight victories coming with bonus points. On the year, Waters has one win by major decision, three wins by technical fall and four wins by pin. He ranks as high as No. 4 in the country.