MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Alan Waters, Missouri—Junior, Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill High School)
Missouri junior Alan Waters won two matches this past weekend both by major decision at the NWCA Cliff Keen National Duals Midwestern Regional. Waters started off the day with a 11-2 major decision over Shane Gentry of Maryland. The 125-pounder found many ways to score in his match against Gentry as he connected on two takedowns, a couple of two-point nearfalls, a reversal, and an extra point for 2:25 of riding time. Waters added his second major of the day with a drubbing against No. 16 Camden Eppert of Purdue, 15-3. The junior added five more takedowns as well as a three-point nearfall as time expired to get his 23rd win of the year. Waters is a perfect 23-0 on the season and has been a rock as the Mizzou leadoff man. He's ranked No. 1 by WrestlingReport and is in the top-4 in every other poll. As a junior, he boasts an incredible .892 win percentage with a 91-11 career record.
Additional Nominees:
Stevie Mitcheff, Kent State—Senior, Lorain, Ohio
Kent State senior Stevie Mitcheff went 2-0 at the NWCA/Cliff Keen Nationals Duals Regional on Sunday. Mitcheff pinned Wisconsin’s Matt Cavallaris in the first period sparking a 33-10 Kent State victory over the Badgers, who were ranked No. 18 in the Coaches Poll. Mitcheff also defeated Oklahoma State’s Ed Kilmara 3-2. Kilmara was ranked No. 31 in last week’s Coaches Panel. Mitcheff improved to 26-10 on the year and 11-4 in dual meets.
Rob Jillard, Northern Illinois—Junior, Franklinville, N.J. (Delsea High School)
Northern Illinois junior Rob Jillard got his second pin in as many weeks Saturday, as he stuck Buffalo's Blake Ruolo in the second period of Northern Illinois thrilling 20-18 win over the Bulls. The junior from Franklinville, N.J., exceeded his win total from a season ago with the pin and also posted his fourth stick of the season.
Joey Lazor, Northern Iowa—Junior, McDonough, Ga. (Union Grove High School)
Northern Iowa junior Joey Lazor continues to get stronger this season after rehabbing an injury last year. He picked up two bonus point wins over the weekend. He got major decisions against Wisconsin’s Thomas Kelliher (10-2) and Oklahoma State’s Julian Feikert (10-1) at the NWCA National Duals in Kent, Ohio. Lazor is ranked 13th by Amateur Wrestling News and 15th by Intermat. Lazor redshirted last year with his injury. His overall record is 29-7, with six of those wins being by major decision. Lazor’s dual record this year is 12-2 and he has six tech falls and five pins this year. His career record is 59-29, and he is 21-13 in career duals.
Jeremy Johnson, Ohio—Junior, Broadview Heights, Ohio (Brecksville High School)
Ohio junior Jeremy Johnson helped the Bobcats collect their fifth straight win Sunday night as he logged his 28th victory of the season following a first period pin of Campbell’s Joe Nolan. Johnson has now won 10 of his last 11 matches.