Koehnlein Earns Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Award

Nebraska senior Mike Koehnlein was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on Monday, Feb. 7, for his performance last weekend in the Huskers' duals against Arizona State and No. 5 Oklahoma State. This is the first time in Koehnlein's career that he has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, and is the third time this season a Husker has earned the award after Jordan Burroughs earned the honor twice earlier in the year.

Koehnlein, who went 2-0 in a pair of dual matches, began the weekend by pinning Carlos Castro (ASU) in 6:20 for his first pin of the season at 141-pounds. The senior's victory helped lead the No. 14 Huskers to a 35-8 victory over Arizona State.

The West Minster, Calif.-native then upset No. 17 Josh Kindig (OSU) by decision, 10-4. Trailing 2-1 entering the second period, Koehnlein used two takedowns and an escape to take the lead at 7-4. Koehnlein then scored a two-point near fall in the final seconds of the match to extend his lead to 10-4 with the riding-time advantage. Koehnlein's victory marked the second nationally-ranked opponent he has defeated this season (No. 20 Kaleb Friedley, Northwestern).

The returning NCAA qualifier has helped the Huskers to a 12-5 record and a 1-2 mark in Big 12 duals. For the season, Koehnlein owns a 15-10 overall record with a 9-8 record in dual competition.

Koehnlein and the Huskers return to action this Saturday, Feb. 12,  when they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels at Noon in Chapel Hill, N.C.

2010-11 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK/MONTH
November:  Jordan Oliver, OSU, So., 133
December 6:  Jon Morrison, OSU, Fr., 125
December 13:  Jordan Burroughs, NU, Sr., 165
December 20:  Todd Schavrien, MU, Sr., 141
January 3:  Jordan Burroughs, NU, Sr., 165
January 10:  Jordan Oliver, OSU, So., 133
January 18:  Nathan Fernandez, OU, Sr., 285
January 24:  Tyler Caldwell, OU, So., 165
January 31:  Jonathan Reader, ISU, Sr., 174
February 7:  Mike Koehnlein, NU, Sr., 141