MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK
MAC East Division: Wrestler of the Week
DJ Fehlman, Lock Haven—Senior, Warren, Pa. (Warren High School)
Lock Haven senior DJ Fehlman at 133 lbs., had another perfect week for Lock Haven. The Bald Eagles’ 133-pounder went 2-0 and his win on Dec. 19 vs. Bloomsburg marked the 100th of his college career. The win – a major decision – helped Lock Haven soar past Bloomsburg in a MAC Eastern Division dual. Fehlman majored Bloom’s Josh Mason 13-3. On Dec. 21 at Clarion, Fehlman extended his win streak with a victory over Clarion’s Seth Koleno, 8-4. With the wins last week, Fehlman extended his win streak to 12 straight bouts. The newest member of Lock Haven's 100-win club hasn't lost a bout since the second round at the Navy Classic on November 23.
Additional Nominees:
Avery Shay, Clarion—Junior, New Fairfield, Conn. (New Fairfield High School)
Clarion junior Avery Shay at 157 lbs. had an upset win over Alex Klucker last Saturday, Dec. 21 to propel Clarion to their first team victory over Lock Haven in five years and marked Clarion's first ever MAC dual win. Shay put in a workmanlike effort in the 7-1 decision over Klucker, who entered the weekend ranked 18th nationally by FloWrestling. His late takedown in the third period assured the win and put the Golden Eagles ahead 10-6 in the team match, firing up the crowd and generating momentum as Clarion went on to win.
Killian Cardinale, Old Dominion—Sophomore, Bristol, Va. (Brentsville District High School)
Old Dominion sophomore Killian Cardinale at 125 lbs., dominated in his performance against SIUE's Gage Datlovsky at 125 pounds in the Monarchs first MAC victory of the season. Cardinale earned 10 takedowns in his bout, good for 37 percent of the Monarchs' 27 total takedowns, on his way to a 24-9 technical fall victory. The performance gave Cardinale's team an extra five points in an eventual 33-9 win. In total this season, Cardinale has compiled an 11-2 record, including a 3-1 record against ranked opponents.
George Walton, Rider—Sophomore, Franklin, N.J. (Bound Brook High School)
Rider sophomore George Walton at 165 lbs., pinned No. 18 Travis Stefanik of Princeton at 5:44 on Thursday. With his first win by fall of the season, he improves to 11-3 on the season.
MAC West Division: Wrestlers of the Week
Andrew McNally, Kent State—Junior, Uniontown, Ohio
Kent State junior Andrew McNally at 184 lbs., went 2-0 last week against NIU and Wisconsin. Against the Huskies, McNally defeated Caden McWhirter in a 13-2 major decision. The next night he earned a 6-3 victory by decision over Jared Krattiger of Wisconsin. The 2-0 week moves McNally to an impressive 14-3 mark on the season.
Additional Nominees:
Ben Smith, Cleveland State—Sophomore, North Canton, Ohio (Hoover High School)
Cleveland State sophomore Ben Smith at 197 lbs., delivered a convincing win to help the Vikings turn a 14-14 deadlock dual with George Mason into a victory. His 22-7 technical fall at 197 pounds over George Mason's Ramses Montalvo provided Cleveland State with the lead and some margin for error entering the final bout. Smith improved to 16-5 on the season with the win and secured his 10th bonus-point win of the season in the process.
Brit Wilson, Northern Illinois—Sophomore, Mexico, Mo. (Mexico High School)
Northern Illinois sophomore Brit Wilson at 184 lbs., posted a 10-2 major decision over Shane Mast of Kent State. With the match tied, 13-13, with three bouts left, Brit Wilson put the Huskies up for good with the win over Mast. Wilson, who was in command the entire match, opened up a 4-1 first period advantage with a pair of takedowns. He extended his lead to 7-1 in the second period with another takedown and a penalty point for stalling. A takedown and riding time in the third helped the sophomore improve his record to 11-1 on the season and give NIU a 23-13 victory over the Golden Flashes. It was NIU’s first win over Kent State at home since Jan. 18, 2004.
Shakur Laney, Ohio—Senior, Canal Winchester, Ohio (Pickerington North High School)
Ohio senior Shakur Laney at 141 lbs., helped the Bobcats (2-3, 0-1 MAC) earn a 20-13 victory over regional rival West Virginia (0-5, 0-1 Big 12) last Friday, Dec. 20 at Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, W. Va. Laney gave the Bobcats a 7-3 advantage after notching a 19-7 major decision win at 141 pounds over sophomore Caleb Rea. He finished the bout with nine takedowns.
