Rowlands named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

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Pat Kindig (Ohio State Sports Information)
02/19/2004


Columbus, Ohio - Ohio State senior HWT Tommy Rowlands, a three-time All-American and 2002 NCAA champion, was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Thursday. Rowlands, who also won the award Nov. 19, completed the week with three technical fall victories en route to setting the Ohio State all-time records in both career wins and career takedowns.    The Hilliard, Ohio product climbed to the top of the Ohio State record charts in both categories in dual bouts vs. No. 3 Illinois, Michigan State and No. 15 Central Michigan. Friday at Illinois, Rowlands recorded his 152nd career victory, surpassing Ed Potokar (1980-83) for No. 1 on the OSU wins list with a technical fall over No. 9-ranked Mike Benhke. Sunday, he recorded career takedown No. 647 to claim the top spot in all-time takedowns at OSU in another technical fall win vs. MSU as he surpassed former Buckeye Adam DiSabato (1989-1993) for No. 1 on the list. Rowlands now stands at 663 takedowns for his career.    Rowlands, who is ranked No. 1 in all major individual polls, added a third technical fall over No. 17 Bill Stouffer of CMU in the weekend finale Sunday. With the wins, Rowlands upped his season record to 33-1 and his all-time mark to 154-13. He has won his last five matches - three against ranked opponents - either by fall of technical fall.    Rowlands previously won the Big Ten weekly honor Nov. 19 after claiming first place at the Oklahoma Gold Classic.    The Buckeyes conclude their regular season at with a trip to the state of Iowa for a bout with the No. 10-ranked Hawkeyes Friday night and close the weekend with a dual at No. 16 Northern Iowa Saturday. Both matches start at 8 p.m. (EST).