Northwestern University Athletics
Welcome Back: Herbert Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
11/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 11, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Following his first competition for Northwestern after a year spent training for the Beijing Olympics, Northwestern senior Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Tuesday, sharing the honor with Indiana's Kurt Kinser. Herbert's fifth career weekly accolade comes on the heels of posting a 4-0 record at the Michigan State Open Sunday, claiming the 184-pound division title.
Ranked No. 1 in the nation at 184, Herbert posted pins in each of his first three contests—including one in just 14 seconds—to secure a spot in the finals where he defeated freshman Zac Thomusseit of Pittsburgh with a 14-1 major decision. The 2007 national champion was one of three Wildcats to reach the finals of their respective weight classes.
Herbert's decisive victory in East Lansing upped his career record to 119-4 and his winning percentage to .967, tops all-time among Northwestern wrestlers. His wins over the weekend gave him sole possession of fourth place in school history for all-time wins. Herbert's last collegiate loss came on March 18, 2006, in the finals of the NCAA championships against Ben Askren of Missouri, Herbert's only loss that year.
In the latest USA Today/InterMat/NWCA rankings released on Nov. 11, Northwestern remained in the No. 11 spot. Saturday Herbert looks to lead NU to another successful weekend as Northwestern heads to West Lafayette, Ind., to compete in the Purdue Duals.
