MAC Announces Wrestler of the Week
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
MAC Wrestler of the Week
Austin Severn, Central Michigan—Senior, New Lothrop, Mich. (New Lothrop High School)
Central Michigan senior Austin Severn entered the weekend ranked 18th nationally by InterMat. He pinned 14th-ranked Kevin Beazley of Old Dominion in 4:57 on Friday, and on Sunday he defeated ninth-ranked Shawn Scott of Northern Illinois, 4-3. Severn improved to 19-5 on the season and he has won five of his last six matches. The lone loss in that stretch came to top-ranked J’den Cox of Missouri. Severn’s wins over Beazley and Scott avenged losses to both wrestlers earlier this season at the Midlands Championships.
Additional Nominees:
Bryan Lantry, Buffalo—Sophomore, Walworth, N.Y. (Walworth High School)
Buffalo sophomore Bryan Lantry pinned his opponent, Vinny Vespa of Hofstra, just 29 seconds into the second period to help lead the Bulls to a 32-3 win over the Pride on Saturday. It was Lantry’s fourth pin of the season and improved the redshirt-sophomore’s season record to 14-4 overall and 9-2 in duals.
Chance Driscoll, Kent State—Junior, Aurora, Ohio (St. Edward High School)
Kent State junior Chance Driscoll went 2-0 in a pair of dual meets over the weekend against Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois. In two matches Driscoll allowed just one point, blanking NIU’s Anthony Rubino 3-0 and topping Norther Iowa’s Tyler Willers 5-1. Driscoll is now 10-2 on the season in dual meets.
Steve Bleise, Northern Illinois—Sophomore, Chelsea, Ill. (Chelsea High School)
Northern Illinois sophomore Steve Bleise was a major contributor in the Huskies’ win over Kent State (30-12). Bleise took a commanding lead after the first period, 4-1, at 149-pounds. By the end of second period, he had stretched his lead to 8, before capping off the dual with a technical fall, 21-6. That is Bleise's third technical fall of the season.
Following Friday’s victory, Bleise was back on the mats Sunday as he defeated No. 17 Central Michigan’s nationally ranked and returning All-American, No. 6 Justin Oliver. In the first period, Bleise had a takedown coupled with four nearfall points to earn the early lead. He dominated on offense and had control of the first three minutes. Next, Oliver was awarded the takedown, but it did not come easy. Bleise was working around him trying to get the takedown by stretching out and staying up on defense but it was eventually awarded to Oliver. No points were awarded until the final buzzer when Oliver had a takedown. It wasn't enough, as Bleise walked away with the decision, 7-6.
Bryce Steiert, Northern Iowa—Sophomore, Horton, Iowa (Waverly-Shell Rock High School)
Northern Iowa sophomore Bryce Steiert extended his winning streak to eight consecutive wins. He has earned bonus points in his last six matches. Steiert grabbed two falls over the weekend over MAC opponents at Ohio and Kent State. Both falls came midway through the second period. He pinned Ohio’s Austin Reese in 4 minutes, 3 seconds and Kent State’s Isaac Bast in 4:23. Steiert’s last six matches have included two falls, a tech fall and three major decisions. His only losses have been to top-5 opponents. The sophomore improves to 15-2 overall and undefeated in the MAC at 6-0.
