Morales Earns Big 12 Wrestler of the Week

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 3, 2014) – Junior Mike Morales of the West Virginia University wrestling team has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week by the conference office.

Morales (149) sparked the crowd at the WVU Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 1, against No. 7 Pitt when he knotted the team score at 6-6 after defeating No. 17 Mikey Racciato, 11-9. Morales tallied an early takedown in the first period and then a reversal to start the second. Racciato battled back with a takedown and reversal of his own. Racciato took Morales down in the third, but was reversed once again. A late takedown by Morales forced extra time, which ended quickly with Morales’ third takedown of the bout.

Morales is 14-5 on the season and 9-2 in dual matches. He is currently fourth on the team with 17 takedowns. Saturday’s match was Morales' first victory over a ranked opponent this year.

This week's award is the first of Morales' career, and he is the second Mountaineer to earn the honor this season.

West Virginia (9-4, 0-2 Big 12) hosts No. 6 Oklahoma on Thursday, Feb.6, at 7p.m., and Davidson on Friday, Feb.7, at 7:30 p.m.

For the latest information on WVU wrestling, follow @WVUWrestling on Twitter.



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