Mid-American Conference

MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
 
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Jason Estevez, Buffalo—Junior, Livingston, N.J. (Livingston High School)
 
Buffalo junior Jason Estevez earned a pair of first period pins to go 2-0 over the weekend in wins against Columbia and Sacred Heart. Estevez needed only 1:08 to pin Jacob Macalolooy, a 10-win wrestler from Columbia, on Saturday, Jan. 7. On Sunday, Jan. 8, he recorded two take downs and a 2-point near fall before pinning Adrian Nelson 1:40 into the match. Estevez has now won three straight dual matches.

Additional Nominees:
Austin Severn, Central Michigan—Senior, New Lothrop, Mich. (New Lothrop High School)
 
Central Michigan senior Austin Severn upped his record to 15-4 with an 8-2 victory over Bailey Faust, helping the Chippewas secure a 22-12 MAC dual-meet victory over Ohio in Athens.
 
Noah Gonser, Eastern Michigan—R-Freshman, Grand Blanc, Mich. (Grand Blanc High School)
 
Eastern Michigan redshirt freshman Noah Gonser picked up a huge pin in the 25-14 dual win over Old Dominion on Sunday, Jan. 8. The 125-pounder led late in the third period before cradling his opponent for the fall eight seconds before the final buzzer sounded. It was the fifth pin of the season for Gonser, and his third in dual action. The No. 18 ranked wrestler in the country is 12-5 on the season.
 
Angel Velasquez, Northern Illinois—R-Freshman, Modesto, Calif. (John H. Pitman High School)
 
Northern Illinois redshirt freshman Angel Velasquez improved to 8-7 on the season and 1-1 in the MAC after his win over Jake Hodges of Northern Iowa in an intense 3-2 decision. After a scoreless first period, Velasquez got an escape to take the lead 1-0. Hodges quickly tied the bout after an escape of his own in the third but Velasquez got the takedown with 20 seconds left that was needed to win the match. Velasquez was just one of four Huskies to garner a win against No. 22 Northern Iowa. Velasquez’s dual was a key component in the Huskie’s 14-7 lead at intermission. However, the Panther’s pulled ahead during the second half to come out on top 23-17.
 
Jacob Holschlag, Northern Iowa—Redshirt Freshman, La Porte City, Iowa (Union High School)
 
Northern Iowa redshirt freshman Jacob Holschlag made his MAC dual debut with a major decision. His win gave Northern Iowa its first lead over Northern Illinois after seven matches. His victory helped give Northern Iowa its second conference win last weekend. He knocked off Bryce Gorman, who is ranked fourth in the MAC. Holschlag scored first with a takedown midway through the first period to lead 2-0 to start the second. Holschlag jumped out to an 8-0 lead midway through the second with a takedown and four nearfall points. Gorman earned his only escape point with 45 seconds left in the match, but a final takedown and riding time secured the 11-1 major decision.
 
Michael Hayes, Old Dominion—Senior, Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge High School)
 
Old Dominion senior Michael Hayes improved to 8-8 on the year at 149-pound with a 6-4 win over returning NCAA Qualifier and nationally ranked Nick Barber from Eastern Michigan on Sunday.