Izzak Olejnik, NIU, 165 lbs.
R-Senior, Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield)
Redshirt senior Izzak Olejnik finished fourth in the 165 division to pace NIU at the prestigious Midlands Championships in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Olejnik went 5-2 at the event, plowing through opponents en route to the podium. Olejnik's first day of action was capped with a thrilling 3-2 win over No. 8 Justin McCoy (Virginia) to advance to the semifinals.
 
His only two losses were at the hands of nationally ranked wrestlers: against No. 4 Dean Hamiti in the semifinals and in the 3rd place bout against No. 15 Danny Braunagel. 

Other Nominees
Alex Cramer, Central Michigan, 174 lbs.               
R-Junior, Grayslake, Ill. (Grayslake)        
Central Michigan's Alex Cramer finished 4-2 to place fifth in the 174-pound weight class at the prestigious Midlands Championships in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Cramer, a redshirt junior from Grayslake, Ill., defeated Luca Augustine of Pitt with a pin at 4:30 in the fifth-place match. Cramer opened with a 7-2 victory over Ryan Riser of Wisconsin Whitewater, and then followed with another 7-2 victory, this one over Trey Sizemore of Illinois, and then posted a 4-0 quarterfinal win over Kole Mulhauser of Princeton. Cramer, who was seeded fifth in the weight class, then dropped a 10-4 semifinal decision to No. 1 seed and eventual champion Edmond Ruth of Illinois and then a 12-0 major decision to Brody Conley of West Virginia. Ruth is ranked 10th nationally. Cramer improved to 14-8 on the season with two pins.

Nathan Higley, George Mason, 149 lbs.
Sophomore, Sullivan County, Pa.             
George Mason wrestler Nathan Higley earned a spot on the podium at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships after finishing eighth at 149 pounds. Higley defeated NCAA Qualifier Jacob Verkleeren from UVA that clinched a spot on the podium. The freshman dropped two close matches to close out the tournament, a 7-5 decision to Pitt's Tyler Badgett before Cade Balestrini edged Higley in the seventh place match, 9-6. Higley opened the tournament with a 9-7 win against Virginia's Denton Spencer. He fell to nationally ranked Sam Hilegas (WVA) before winning two matches, including a fall against two-time NCAA Qualifier Graham Rooks from Indiana.
 
Caleb Tyus, SIUE, 149 lbs.
Sophomore, Bethalto, Ill. (Civic Memorial HS)   
Helped Cougars to ninth-place finish at Midlands as a team. Placed fourth overall at Midlands at 149 pounds. Defeated then No. 22 Indiana's Graham Rooks in the third round at Midlands. Rooks leads Indiana in wins with 19. Also avenged a season-opening loss to Rooks in dual meet. Defeated No. 25 Sean Hillegas of West Virginia in the quarterfinals. Only losses were to No. 5 Kyle Parko of Arizona State (8-2) and No. Doug Zapf of Penn (6-2). First period fall over Chicago's Ryan Fleck.