Oliver earns second MAC Wrestler of Week honors, now ranked No. 3 nationally
For the second time this season, junior Justin Oliver has been named the Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week.
Oliver finished 6-0 in last weekend’s Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, including wins over two top-10 wrestlers on the final day to take the title at 149 pounds. Oliver scored one technical fall and three shutouts in his six matches. He outscored his opponents 60-12.
Oliver also earned the MAC honor on Nov. 7 earlier this season.
Chippewas rise and fall in new rankings
Five wrestlers remain in the top 20 of their weight classes, according to intermatwrestle.com.
Oliver, originally ranked sixth at 149 pounds, is now ranked third in the country, the highest of any CMU wrestler.
Senior Jordan Ellingwood fell six spots from No.8 to No.14 after finishing eighth in last weekend’s Cliff Keen invite.
Despite a fifth-place finish in Las Vegas, including a first period pin fall over then No. 8 ranked Tommy Thorn of Minnesota, sophomore Mason Smith remains at No. 20 at 141 pounds.
Senior CJ Brucki moved up to No. 15 at 174 pounds. The Orland Park, Illinois native was the only Chippewa to compete during the second day in Las Vegas and not place within the top eight of his weight class.
Senior Colin Heffernan fell two spots and now sits at No. 16 for 157 pounds. The Cleveland, Ohio native was in the championship side of the bracket last weekend until a shoulder injury forced him to forfeit two matches, eliminating him from the invite.
Intermat ranks the Chippewas at No. 19 as a team in tournaments action and No. 17 in dual meets.
USA Today ranked CMU at No. 18 as well as only one of two MAC teams in the top 25. Missouri also represents the MAC, sitting at No. 4.
