Mid-American Conference

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
 
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Luke Smith, Central Michigan—Senior, Wheeling, Ill. (Wheeling High School)
 
Central Michigan senior Luke Smith upset the nation’s No. 10-ranked wrestler in the 157-lb. weight class in the Chippewas’ dual meet with No. 8 Michigan. On Friday night in Ann Arbor, Smith beat Brian Murphy, 5-4. He was down 4-3 but used a third-period takedown to claim the victory over Murphy, who was an All-American last season. With the win, Smith improved to 21-5 overall and 6-2 in dual meet competition.
 
Additional Nominees:
Devin Nye, Kent State—R-Freshman, Springfield, Ohio (Springfield High School)
 
Kent State redshirt freshman Devin Nye clinched Kent State’s team victory over Old Dominion in the final match with a second period pin of Andrew Snyder.  Leading 2-0 to start the second from the bottom, Nye reversed Snyder directly to his back for his seventh pin of the season.  Nye improved to 25-11 on the year with his second MAC dual win.
 
Arthur Bunce, Northern Illinois—Senior, Munith, Mich. (Dansville High School)
 
Northern Illinois senior Arthur Bunce avenged last season’s 5-3 dual loss to Jess Webb of Ohio by shutting out the Bobcats’ heavyweight this time around with an impressive 2-0 victory on Friday night away from home. The NIU senior heavyweight recorded an escape in the second period and dominated the third period on top to add the riding time bonus point and score three team points for the Huskies with the decision.
 
Phil Wellington, Ohio—Senior, Euclid, Ohio (Villa-Angela St. Joseph High School)
 
Ohio senior Phil Wellington swept action this weekend picking up a technical fall over Northern Illinois’ Zach Benkovich (20-5) and then took major decision over Buffalo’s James Benjamin 12-4. Wellington landed 10 takedowns on the weekend and a near fall to outpoint his competition 32-9. Wellington is the first Ohio wrestler to reach 20-wins this season owning a 20-4 overall record with a 9-1 dual mark. Wellington is the No. 13 ranked-wrestler in the country in the latest Intermat Rankings.