MAC Wrestler of the Week
Joey Fischer, Clarion, Freshman
Pittsburgh, Pa. (South Park) – 125 lbs.
Fischer went 3-0 last weekend with a pair of MAC dual victories, followed by an impressive win over a 2021 NCAA qualifier from Navy. The freshman 125-pounder improved to 19-9 overall with major decisions over George Mason's Ben Monn and SIU Edwardsville's Austin Macias. The win over Monn helped Clarion to a dual victory over the Patriots. On Sunday against the Midshipmen, Fischer defeated Navy's Jacob Allen, an NCAA qualifier at 133 pounds in 2021 that won a match at last year's championships. Fischer was ranked 32nd in the NCAA Coaches Panel's first rankings earlier this year.
Other Nominees
Matt Stencel, Central Michigan, Grad.
Oregon, Ohio (Clay HS) -- 285 pounds
Stencel posted a major-decision win and a victory by pin in helping lead Central Michigan to a pair of Mid-American Conference weekend dual-meet wins as the Chippewas clinched a share of the MAC West title. Stencel, who hails from Oregon, Ohio, and is ranked eighth nationally, improved to 13-3 on the season. Eleven of his wins have come with bonus points, including nine pins. Stencel opened the weekend with a 12-4 win over Max Millin of Edinboro and then closed the weekend with a pin in 1:14 of Kent State's Jacob Cover. Stencel, a four-time MAC champion and two-time All-American, helped the Chippewas run their win streak to 10 dual meets as they improved to 11-2, 6-0 MAC. CMU is ranked 20th in the InterMat top 25 dual-meet poll and third in the National Wrestling Coaches Association mid-major poll.
Ben Smith, Cleveland State, Junior
North Canton, Ohio 197 lbs.
Ben Smith used three takedowns in the third period including the match-winning takedown with 24 seconds left to win 12-11 at 197-pounds against Carson Brewer. Smith is now 14-4 on the year and 7-0 in the MAC.
Alec Hagan, Ohio, Redshirt Senior
Eureka, Mo. – 149 lbs.
No. 29 Alec Hagan was 2-0 this weekend; his first victory was a 7-4 decision against Kent State's Louis Newell. The next day, the Bobcats took on Cleveland State. Hagan was up against No. 30 Marcus Robinson; after taking a 1-0 lead in the second, an escape tied the dual, sending them into overtime. Hagan surged ahead in the first sudden victory period with a takedown, winning 3-1. On the season, Hagan is 22-5 overall, 9-3 in duals and 3-3 against MAC opponents with three falls, four technical falls and one major decision.
Colton McKiernan, SIUE, Senior
Richmond, Mich. – 285 lbs.
Colton McKiernan (SIUE) over Tyler Bagoly (CLAR) (Dec 3-2). Colton McKiernan (SIUE) over Austin Stith (GMU) (Dec 4-0). Helped Cougars to first dual win of the season against Clarion.
