Metcalf Earns Big Ten Honor

Jan. 23, 2008

PARK RIDGE, IL — Iowa wrestler Brent Metcalf has been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for the second consecutive week. He shares this week’s honor with Wisconsin 197-pounder Dallas Herbst. Metcalf is the first wrestler in conference history to earn the honor in consecutive weeks since the Big Ten switched from a monthly award in 1997-98.

Metcalf, who is ranked first in the nation at 149 pounds by the NWCA/Intermat/NWMA and W.I.N. Magazine and second by Amateur Wrestling News, extended his winning streak to 15 matches with two dual wins last weekend. He defeated #5 Lance Palmer of Ohio State (5-3) Friday in Columbus, and pinned #6 Bubba Jenkins of Penn State in 5:33 Sunday in Iowa City. In the Metcalf-Jenkins match, the Hawkeye sophomore fought off his back and a 6-1 first-period deficit. Before recording the pin, he led Jenkins 23-13 with over a minute remaining in the match.

A native of Davison, MI, Metcalf is 18-1 in collegiate matches and 13-1 in duals. He leads Iowa with the most team points scored in dual competition (61).

This is the fourth time this season a Hawkeye wrestler has earned the weekly conference honor. Iowa recorded its most honorees (5 – Cliff Moore, Ryan Fulsaas, Steve Mocco, Jessman Smith and Joe Johnston) during the 2002-03 season.

Metcalf was honored Jan. 16 after being named the Division I Outstanding Wrestler at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals. Sophomore Joe Slaton was honored Dec. 12 after upsetting Nick Fanthorpe of Iowa State, 6-5, at 133 pounds. Top-ranked senior Mark Perry was named Dec. 19 after pinning #3 Moza Fay of Northern Iowa in 48 seconds and Cornell College’s Christan Coffey in 4:17.

Top-ranked Iowa (13-1, 2-0 Big Ten) will host #10 Northwestern (5-4, 0-0 Big Ten) Sunday at 7 p.m. in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes enter the dual on a six-match winning streak. Metcalf will have one of the more anticipated matches of the night when he takes on #4 Ryan Lang.

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