Manley Selected as MAC Wrestler of the Week
2/3/2016 10:24:00 AM | Wrestling
Manley posted a fall vs. Oklahoma and a decision win over No. 10 Mecate
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling redshirt junior 141-pounder Matt Manley (Perry, Okla.) has been selected as the Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week, as announced Wednesday by the MAC office. The award is Manley's first career MAC Wrestler of the Week honor. The award is Mizzou's second of the year after redshirt junior 133-pounder Zach Synon was selected on Dec. 16.
Manley has solidified himself as one of Mizzou's most consistent wrestlers in his first full season in the 141 pound weight class. The Tiger junior picked up two more wins over the weekend, helping the No. 5-ranked Tigers improve to 11-1 and increase his win total to a team-high 24 victories.
On Saturday, Jan. 30, Manley defeated Trae Blackwell (Oklahoma) with a first-period pin (2:40). The win tied the dual score at 6-6 in the third match of the night against the Sooners. It marked the first of seven straight match wins for the Tigers as Mizzou went on to blow-out No. 7 Oklahoma, 31-12. Manley scored quick against Blackwell, tallying a takedown and a two-point near-fall before earning the pin near the end of the first period.
Next, on Sunday, Jan. 31, Manley scored a 4-1 decision win over 2015 All-American and No. 10-ranked (FloWrestling) Chris Mecate (Old Dominion). Manley set the tone in the first match of the dual as the Tigers later defeated Old Dominion, 29-6. The Perry, Okla., native began the third period down 1-0 to Mecate, but scored an escape and takedown, and was awarded a point following a stall call on Mecate for the 4-1 decision triumph.
On the season, Manley is 24-5 overall (10-1 duals) with 36 dual points to his credit. Manley has posted six wins via major decision this season, tied for most on the team. Following a fourth-place finish at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 4-5), Manley has amassed an 8-1 record in nine dual starts, posting three wins with bonus points and three wins over opponents ranked in the top-20.
The Tigers return to the mat on Sunday, Feb. 8, with a visit to Dekalb, Ill., to face Northern Illinois in the final MAC dual of the season. Mizzou will win the regular season MAC Championship with a win over the Huskies. The dual is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on ESPN3.com.
For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouWrestling).
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