Keegan O’Toole Named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week
2/15/2022 11:00:00 AM | Wrestling
The honor is the freshman’s second of the season
COLUMIBA, Mo. – University of Missouri wrestler Keegan O'Toole was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday morning. The weekly honor is O'Toole's second of the season and the fourth for the Tigers.
The freshman took on 2021 All-American No. 7 Anthony Valencia in the Tigers' dual against No. 13 Arizona State last Saturday, winning with a third-period fall (5:52). His 13th bonus-point win of the season was also the highest-ranked victory of the year for O'Toole.
"Keegan showed last weekend why he's one of the best wrestlers in the country," head coach Brian Smith said. "He went from being put on his back to pinning the guy and getting us some much-needed points. I know he'll watch the match and get even better from it for Wednesday's dual."
O'Toole and Valencia opened the match with a trade of takedowns. At the end of the first period, O'Toole's escape was the difference. Starting the second on bottom, O'Toole got a reversal before giving up a takedown and a two-point near fall.
After going out of bounds, O'Toole escaped to tie the match at 6-6. Coming off the whistle, the Wisconsin native put Valencia in a cradle for his team-leading fifth pin. O'Toole's victory was integral in erasing a 12-3 deficit to that point in the dual.
He was also named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week for Nov. 9-16, 2021, following a 2-0 opening weekend where he tallied two pins. Last season, the freshman was also named the MAC Wrestler of the Week for Jan. 20-27, 2021.
O'Toole and the Tigers will kick off their regular season finale against No. 5 Iowa State at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Fans can purchase tickets to the dual at MUTigers.com/TigerStyleTix or by calling 1-800-CAT-PAWS.
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