Mid-American Conference

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
 
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Noah Gonser, Eastern Michigan—R-Freshman, Grand Blanc, Mich. (Grand Blanc High School)
 
Eastern Michigan redshirt freshman Noah Gonser had a dominating day in the tri-dual against Cleveland State and Indiana Sunday, Dec. 11. He won both of his bouts at 125 lbs., including a first period pin over CSU’s Spencer Dusi right before the buzzer in 2:59 to spring the Eagles to a 38-12 win over the Vikings. Gonser also had a victory over nationally ranked IU opponent Elijah Oliver, who is ranked No. 17 by InterMat. That was Gonser’s second win over a nationally recognized grappler this season. In his first season in the starting lineup, Gonser is 11-4 and 3-1 in duals.

Additional Nominees:
Bryan Lantry, Buffalo—Sophomore, Walworth, N.Y. (Wayne High School)
 
Buffalo sophomore Bryan Lantry earned a 6-3 decision over 19th-ranked Anthony Tutolo on Sunday to help Buffalo defeat Kent State, 23-12. It was the Bulls’ first win over the Golden Flashes since 2005. Lantry earned an early takedown to hold a 2-1 advantage after the first period. After Tutolo tied the match up, 2-2, with an escape in the second period, Lantry dominated the third. The Bulls’ redshirt-sophomore had an escape and a takedown in the third period. His riding timing point gave him the 6-3 victory for his second win over a ranked opponent this season.
 
Devin Nye, Kent State—Sophomore, Springfield, Ohio (Springfield High School)
 
Kent State sophomore Devin Nye defeated Buffalo’s Jake Gunning 6-4 in Sunday’s dual meet at Alumni Arena. Nye, who was unranked in the latest MAC Coaches Poll, scored takedowns in the second and third periods. Gunning entered the match undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the MAC.  Nye is 9-7 on the season and leads the Golden Flashes with five pins.
 
Joey Lavallee, Missouri—Junior, Reno, Nev. (Reno High School)
 
Missouri junior Joey Lavallee continued his perfect start to the season by recording two dual wins to improve to 9-0 on the season. First, Lavallee picked up a 12-5 decision win over No. 19-ranked Jake Ryan (WIN Magazine) on Dec. 8. Next, Lavallee earned his fourth major decision of the season in a 19-9 win over Cullen Cummings in Mizzou’s win over Ohio on Dec. 11. After taking a redshirt last season, Lavallee has roared back onto the scene in 2016-17, recording bonus points in six of nine wins (four major decisions, one technical fall, one fall) and capturing the UNI championship at 157 pounds on Dec. 3.
 
Max Thomsen, Northern Iowa—R-Freshman, LaPorte City, Iowa (Union High School)
 
Northern Iowa redshirt freshman Max Thomsen improved to 12-1 in duals with a decision over No. 20 Andrew Crone of No. 16 Wisconsin. Thomsen racked up 2 minutes, 38 seconds of riding time to edge out Crone 10-9 in dual on the road. He led the match the entire duration. A final takedown tied it up, but Thomsen’s riding time secured the victory.
 
Zack Parker, Ohio—Sophomore, Felton, Del. (Caesar Rodney High School)
 
Ohio sophomore Zack Parker dominated his match against Missouri’s Austin Meyers. Parker had a pair of takedowns in the first and third periods. He totaled five takedowns in his dual en route to the 12-4 major decision over Meyers.