Northwestern University Athletics
McMullan Named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week
1/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 14, 2014
EVANSTON, Ill. – Following his thrilling overtime victory against reigning NCAA champion Tony Nelson, Northwestern junior Mike McMullan has been named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced today.
McMullan is Northwestern's first wrestler to win Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors this season and first since Jason Welch on Jan. 2, 2013. He joins Iowa's Tony Ramos this week, who was also named Co-Wrestler of the Week.
The win moved McMullan up to No. 4 at heavyweight in Intermat's latest rankings. He is matched up against Penn State's No. 12 Jimmy Lawson this week in the 'Cats dual against the Nittany Lions on Sunday.
After falling to the nation's top ranked heavyweight three times in 2012-13 -- but closing the gap each time -- Northwestern's Mike McMullan defeated reigning NCAA champ Tony Nelson of Minnesota in dual action Friday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
McMullan recorded a 3-1 overtime victory against Nelson at Welsh-Ryan Arena to end the dual match on a high note for the Wildcats.
In the highly anticipated heavyweight bout -- a rematch of last year's NCAA championship matchup -- Nelson scored first with an escape in the second period. McMullan tied the score with an escape in the third period. The two ranked foes went into extra time still tied at one apiece, but McMullan wasted no time in the extra frame and quickly took down Nelson in sudden victory for the win.
WATCH: Mike McMullan Talks About His Win Against Tony Nelson
No. 14 Northwestern faces a tough conference road trip this weekend, heading to No. 12 Ohio State Friday. On Sunday, the 'Cats take on Penn State on the Big Ten Digital Network on Wildcats All-Access, ranked No. 1 in the nation and the three-time defending NCAA champions. The Nittany Lions feature 10 wrestlers ranked in the Top 10, including six in the top four. Heavyweight Mike McMullan is ranked No. 4 at his weight class after defeating Minnesota's defending NCAA champion Tony Nelson and was named the Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week. Friday's match will take place at No. 9 Pierce Harger (165 lbs.) high school in Cincinnati Ohio.
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