Kokesh Earns Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

Lincoln – Redshirt freshman Robert Kokesh became the first Nebraska wrestler to earn Big Ten Wrestler-of-the-Week honors this season, when the conference announced the award on Tuesday. Kokesh was rewarded for efforts in Nebraska’s 19-15 upset of No. 14 Wyoming at the NU Coliseum last Saturday night.
 
With the Huskers leading by only four points over the Cowboys with three matches remaining, No. 10 Kokesh extended NU’s lead with a dominant 5-0 victory over No.3 Shane Onufer at 165 pounds. After a scoreless first period, Kokesh was able to ride Onufer for the entire second period to gain the riding time advantage. Kokesh added an escape, penalty point (fleeing the mat) and a takedown with five seconds remaining in the third period to put the match away The Wagner, S.D., native avenged a 6-2 loss to Onufer on Nov. 19th at the Nebraska-Kearney Open.

Kokesh owns a 13-2 overall record this season and is 5-0 in dual competition. Nine of Kokesh’s 13 victories have been in bonus-point fashion with six pins, two major decisions and one technical fall, while defeating three ranked opponents. The win vaulted Kokesh to No. 5 at the 165 pound weight class, according to InterMat.

2011-12 Big Ten Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 8           Logan Stieber, Fr., OSU
Nov. 15         B.J. Futrell, Jr., ILL
Nov. 22         Kevin Steinhaus, So., MINN
Nov. 29         Matt Fields, Sr., PUR
Dec. 6           Tony Ramos, So., IOWA
                     Logan Stieber, Fr., OSU
Dec. 13         Robert Kokesh, RFr., NEB