MAC Names Wrestler of the Week
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Lavion Mayes, Missouri—Sophomore, Mascoutah, Ill.
Missouri sophomore Lavion Mayes improved to 24-1 this season after a pair of wins this past weekend at the Hearnes Center. The redshirt sophomore kicked off his undefeated weekend last Friday, Jan. 23 against No. 18 Dean Heil (Oklahoma State). His 8-4 decision victory over Heil propelled Mizzou to a big 22-10 win over No. 7 Oklahoma State, and improved the Tigers to a perfect 16-0 this season. Two days later on Sunday, Jan. 25, Mayes cruised to a 6-1 decision win over Tyler Argue (Northern Illinois). Overall this season, Mayes has accumulated four wins over ranked opponents en route to his current No. 6 ranking in the country at 141 pounds.
Additional Nominees:
Sean Peacock, Buffalo—Freshman, Clifton Springs, N.Y. (Midlakes High School)
Buffalo freshman Sean Peacock stayed hot for the Bulls this week as he finished off the week with a 2-0 record. Peacock was dominant on Friday night vs. #20 Old Dominion as he earned a pin against Michael Hayes in the second period. Peacock trailed in the first period before pinning his opponent at 3:48, earning his fifth pin of his freshman campaign. On Sunday, Peacock took to the mat and dominated Joshua Parrett as he notched three takedowns to go along with two three-point near falls, earning the major decision victory by the score of 16-2. With the win over Parrett on Sunday, Peacock improved his overall record to 17-11 overall, 10-5 in duals and 3-2 in MAC duals. He has won four of his last five dual matches, winning two by pin and two by major decision.
Jordan Ellingwood, Central Michigan—Redshirt Freshman, Plainfield, Ill. (Central HS)
Central Michigan redshirt freshman Jordan Ellingwood scored one of the biggest wins of the day in Central Michigan's 19-12 upset of Northern Iowa, the MAC's No. 3-ranked team. Ellingwood knocked off the conference's No. 4-rated wrestler at 174 lbs., Curt Maas, who entered the meet with an 18-5 record, in decisive fashion. Ellingwood recorded a takedown in each period and a near fall in period 2 to claim an 11-3 major decision over Maas. Ellingwood's win, which moved him to 8-8 on the season and 3-2 versus MAC competition, gave Central Michigan what would prove to be an insurmountable 16-6 lead. With the victory, the Chippewas up their conference record to 4-1 and 6-5 overall in dual meets.
Ian Miller, Kent State—Junior, Oak Harbor, Ohio
Kent State junior Ian Miller went 2-0 over the weekend with a pair of convincing victories. He defeated No. 29 Chad Pyke of NC State 8-3 and Old Dominion’s Devin Geoghegan 19-5. Miller improved to 8-1 in dual meets and 4-0 in MAC duals. Miller is No. 2 at 157 according to InterMat and Wrestling Report.
Basil Minto, Northern Iowa—Senior, Cape Coral, Fla.
Northern Iowa senior Basil Minto had a rematch with Central Michigan’s Jackson Lewis at 197 pounds. Minto was able to avenge a loss from last year to Jackson. He went up 4-0 at the start of the third. Lewis got a takedown but released Minto, who had secured riding time. Minto went on to win 8-2. Minto remains perfect in the MAC (3-0) and improved to 18-7 overall, 5-2 in dual competition.
Derek Elmore, Northern Illinois—Senior, Loves Park, Ill. (Harlem High School)
Northern Illinois senior Derek Elmore went 2-0 last weekend in NIU's matches against Ohio and No. 3 Missouri. Friday against the Bobcats, the Loves Park, Illinois, native scored a 9-5 decision over Zak Hassan. Two days later in Columbia, Elmore pinned Missouri's Chase Brennan in 53 seconds to give NIU a quick 6-0 lead over the nationally ranked Tigers. In addition, his win over Brennan marked the 50th victory in Elmore's career with the Huskies.
Cody Walters, Ohio—Junior, Macedonia, Ohio (St. Peter Chanel High School)
Ohio junior Cody Walters tacked two victories onto his team-high 24-1 record to remain undefeated in Mid-American Conference play. The redshirt junior pinned Austin Culton of Northern Illinois in 4:31 on Friday evening, followed by a 2-0 decision triumph against Buffalo’s Wally Maziarz on Sunday afternoon. Walters has reigned victorious in 18 consecutive bouts and is undefeated in tournament competition thus far on the season.
Alexander Richardson, Old Dominion—Junior, Jersey City, N.Y. (St. Peter’s Prep)
Old Dominion junior Alexander Richardson led the Monarchs to a 2-0 dual showing last weekend, as the Monarchs defeated MAC rivals, Buffalo and Kent State. Richardson recorded 12 team points, claiming two falls to bring his season total to five. With the Buffalo Bulls leading the Monarchs 6-3, Richardson's win at 149 pounds gave the Monarchs the lead they would never relinquish. He took down Justin Cooksey by fall in 6:16. Against No. 21 Kent State, Lenny secured the Monarchs' win, by pinning Mike DePalma just 1:30 into the match. DePalma was picked fourth in the most recent MAC wrestling poll. Richardson is now 18-6 overall and 7-4 in dual action this season.
