Jan. 14, 2008
Columbia, Mo. - Missouri junior Maxwell Askren (Hartland, Wis.) was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week as announced today by the conference office. A 197 pound grappler, this marks Askren's first league honor of the season and second of his career. The weekly award is also Missouri's first of the 2007-08 campaign.
Ranked as high as fifth in the nation entering the National Wrestling Coaches Association(NWCA)/Cliff Keen National Duals, Askren went 3-0 at the tournament and upset third-ranked Mike Tammilow of Northwestern, 5-2, in his final bout of the day. With the three wins, Askren improved to 14-2 on the season and increased his win streak to five straight.
Opening Saturday's competition with a 12-1 win by major decision over Joe Fagiano of Indiana, Askren went on to record his sixth fall of the season, pinning Rick Loera of Iowa in 3:34. The sophomore was one of only two Tigers to finish the tournament with a 3-0 record and was credited with two of Missouri's five bonus point victories.
Askren's last Big 12 honor came last season when the Tiger was tabbed the December Big 12 Wrestler of the Month.
Askren and his teammates will return to action Saturday, Jan. 19, when they host No. 5 Oklahoma State beginning at 1 p.m. (CT) in the Hearnes Center. Missouri has won two of its last three duals with the Cowboys, most recently handing OSU a 17-15 loss in Stillwater, Okla., last season.
