Jan. 28, 2008

Columbia, Mo. -Missouri sophomore Nicholas Marable (Collierville, Tenn.) was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week as announced today by the league office. The first Big 12 honor for the 165 pound grappler, this marks the second conference nod to a Tiger wrestlers this season. Sophomore Maxwell Askren, Missouri's 197 pounder, was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on Jan. 14.

Ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation at 165 pounds, Marable defeated fourth-ranked Mack Lewnes, 3-2, in Missouri's Sunday afternoon home dual against No. 16 Cornell. Helping the Tigers to a 21-13 victory over the Big Red, Marable's victory was his eighth this season against a top-20 ranked opponent and second against a top five wrestler. This marked the third straight week that Marable wrestled a top-five grappler.

Marable improved to 17-3 on the season after holding Lewnes to only two escapes. Scoring the only takedown of the match 1:30 into the first period, Marable managed an escape in the second after choosing down. Marable has not given up a takedown in six straight matches.

All three of Marable's losses this season have come to No. 1 ranked opponents; then No. 1 Eric Tannenbaum of Michigan (7-4), No. 1 Keith Gavin of Pittsburgh at 174 pounds (7-3) and most recently to No. 1 ranked Mark Perry of Iowa (3-2 in overtime).

Missouri becomes the third school in the Big 12 Conference to earn the weekly honor twice this season. Nebraska and Iowa State have also had two wrestlers awarded for their work on the mat. Missouri's second nod of the season ties the second highest number of league honorees, the highest, three coming last season when Ben Askren, Josh Wagner and Max Askren were recognized.

The Tigers will return to Big 12 action this Saturday, Feb. 2 when they take on the No. 2 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at 7 p.m. (CT) in Lincoln. Missouri, 7-2-1, is currently 0-0-1 in Big 12 meetings.