Missouri’s Waters Secures Second Big 12 Wrestler Award

Sophomore Alan Waters (Missouri) has been given the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week award for his performance in matches from Jan. 9-15. Waters helped the Tiger wrestling squad post a 2-1 mark during the week by going 3-0 in matches at the Virginia Duals. It is the second career Big 12 honor for Waters, after taking the award on December 12. Missouri wrestlers have now won three league weekly awards in one season for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
Alan Waters, Missouri, So., 125 pounds, Kansas City, Mo.
Waters was just one of two Tigers to go 3-0 at the Virginia Duals this past weekend. He opened up the competition with a 4-2 decision over No. 19 Trent Sprinkle of North Dakota State on Friday, before knocking off Kory Mines of Edinboro on Saturday in a 6-2 decision.

Despite MU losing in the finals of the event to Kent State, Waters pulled off his third career victory, and second this season, over No. 4 Nic Bedelyon.

The Tiger had an early lead with a first period takedown and a reversal in the second, but Bedelyon hit a late takedown in the third to send the match to overtime. In sudden victory, Waters got the match-winning takedown to give Missouri an early 3-0 lead in the match.

Waters is now 17-1 on the season and 8-0 in duals. He is 6-1 against top-20 wrestlers on the year.

2011-12 BIG 12 WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK/MONTH
November: Kendric Maple, Oklahoma, So., 141
Dec. 12: Alan Waters, Missouri, So., 125
Dec. 19: Chris Spangler, Iowa State, Jr., 174
Jan. 2: Kendric Maple, Oklahoma, So., 141
Jan. 9: Brent Haynes, Missouri, Jr., 197
Jan. 17: Alan Waters, Missouri, So., 125