MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Derek Elmore, Northern Illinois—Sophomore, Loves Park, Ill. (Harlem High School)
Northern Illinois sophomore Derek Elmore played a large part in a big weekend for the Huskies, posting a 3-0 record with two pins and a major decision to help Northern Illinois sweep the Huskie Duals and get the program's 500th win. The sophomore got things off with a fast start with a first period pin of Tiffin's Jordan Shoemaker, putting the Dragon on his back at 1:17. He kept that pin streak going against South Dakota State on Aaron Pickrel for a pin at 1:38. Elmore completed his day with a dominant 15-3 win over Indiana's Joe Duca. Northern Illinois 19-13 win over Indiana was also the program's first over a Big Ten school since 2009 and their first over the Hoosiers since 2002.
Additional Nominees:
Justin Melick, Eastern Michigan—Freshman, Fenton, Mich. (Fenton High School)
Eastern Michigan redshirt freshman Justin Melick took the long route to his third-place finish Sunday at the Michigan State Open. Wrestling at the 149-pound freshman/sophomore division, Melick lost in the first round before winning six consecutive consolation-bracket matches including the final four by way of pin. The Fenton, Mich. native took down Sidney Logan of Indiana Tech at the 1:54 mark of the third-place bout to cap off his 6-1 showing. He also won one match by major decision.
Christian Cullinan, Central Michigan—Senior, Wyandotte, Mich. (Roosevelt High School)
Central Michigan senior Christian Cullinan started his season in upset fashion, taking down No. 15 Sean Boyle with a third period win in the No. 17 Chippewas' 21-16 victory over the No. 13 Wolverines. After trailing 2-0 in the latter stages of the third period, Cullinan swung the momentum in his favor with an escape, followed by a takedown and a pin with 20 seconds remaining in the match. The senior continued to win by fall into the weekend, opening the Michigan State Open with a pair of pins in the 125-open division and eventually advanced to the finals for a second-place finish.
Casey Newburg, Kent State—Senior, Union, Ohio
Kent State senior Casey Newburg won the 184-pound titles at both the Buffalo Brawl Invitational and the Michigan State Open. Newburg went 4-0 with a technical fall at Michigan State, allowing only two points in four matches. He also went 4-0 in Buffalo with a pin and a major decision. Newburg is 8-0 on the season with three bonus-point victories.
Alan Waters, Missouri—Junior, Kansas City, Mo.
Missouri junior Alan Waters won both of his dual matches vs. Old Dominion and Purdue by major decision to set the tone for both Mizzou victories. Waters first defeated Rob Deutsch of Old Dominion 10-2 to set the tone for Mizzou's historic 35-negative-1 victory. He then defeated No. 21 Camden Eppert of Purdue (D1CW rankings) by major decision, 10-2 once again. Waters gave up points only via the escape this weekend, and in this match vs. Eppert, he added a takedown with 2-seconds remaining in the 3rd to earn the major decision instead of just a decision. Waters is ranked No. 5 in most polls this season and has a career record of 70-11.
Phil Wellington, Ohio—Freshman, Euclid, Ohio (Villa-Angela St. Joseph High School)
Ohio redshirt freshman Phil Wellington won the 197 weight class division crown this past weekend at the 2012 Michigan State Open in East Lansing, Mich. Wellington was a perfect 4-0 on the afternoon, posting a pin and a major decision to advance to the championship bout where he defeated Eastern Michigan's Anthony Abro 8-4 to win the bracket.