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Blockhus Nabs Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Honors
1/23/2024 1:55:00 PM | Wrestling
MINNEAPOLIS – A pair of top-three victories last week has garnered Minnesota sixth-year senior Michael Blockhus Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors, the conference announced Tuesday.
Monday night in Iowa City, Blockhus, who was ranked 11th at 157 pounds at the time, upset No. 2 Jared Franek in a 5-4 decision. It was Franek's first loss of the season, snapping a 15-match winning streak.
Franek led 4-1 through two periods and was up 4-2 with 20 seconds to go when Blockhus took him down and held on for the win.
Friday against Nebraska, Blockhus, who had moved up to 10th in the Intermat rankings, added a victory over No. 3 Peyton Robb, 12-6. Blockhus exploded for a double-leg takedown in the second period and added four nearfall points after a thunderous mat return to take an 8-5 lead. A third-period takedown provided the exclamation point as Blockhus improved to 3-0 against ranked opponents this season.
With his wins, Blockhus has moved up to No. 3 according to both OpenMat and WIN Magazine, and he is ranked sixth by InterMat and FloWrestling. A native of Cresco, Iowa, Blockhus is now 9-1 on the season, 6-1 in duals and 2-0 in the Big Ten.
Blockhus is the first Gopher to be named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week since Michial Foy earned the honor on Dec. 1, 2022.
The ninth-ranked Golden Gophers (5-2, 0-2 B1G) return to action Saturday at No. 13 Rutgers (10-2, 3-1). Match time is set for 12 p.m. CT, and it will stream on B1G+.
Monday night in Iowa City, Blockhus, who was ranked 11th at 157 pounds at the time, upset No. 2 Jared Franek in a 5-4 decision. It was Franek's first loss of the season, snapping a 15-match winning streak.
Franek led 4-1 through two periods and was up 4-2 with 20 seconds to go when Blockhus took him down and held on for the win.
A late takedown to pull off the upset! 😳
— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) January 16, 2024
No. 11 at 157 Michael Blockhus secures a B1G @GopherWrestling win against No. 2 Jared Franek. pic.twitter.com/3VSKAvhWQx
Friday against Nebraska, Blockhus, who had moved up to 10th in the Intermat rankings, added a victory over No. 3 Peyton Robb, 12-6. Blockhus exploded for a double-leg takedown in the second period and added four nearfall points after a thunderous mat return to take an 8-5 lead. A third-period takedown provided the exclamation point as Blockhus improved to 3-0 against ranked opponents this season.
Michael Blockhus pulls off the second @GopherWrestling upset of the night ‼️
— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) January 20, 2024
No. 10 at 157 @michaelblockhus wins with a 12-6 decision over No. 3 Peyton Robb. 💥 pic.twitter.com/110cmvIbo9
With his wins, Blockhus has moved up to No. 3 according to both OpenMat and WIN Magazine, and he is ranked sixth by InterMat and FloWrestling. A native of Cresco, Iowa, Blockhus is now 9-1 on the season, 6-1 in duals and 2-0 in the Big Ten.
Blockhus is the first Gopher to be named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week since Michial Foy earned the honor on Dec. 1, 2022.
The ninth-ranked Golden Gophers (5-2, 0-2 B1G) return to action Saturday at No. 13 Rutgers (10-2, 3-1). Match time is set for 12 p.m. CT, and it will stream on B1G+.
Highlights: Gophers 23, Little Rock 9
Friday, December 05
Highlights: Gophers 14, SDSU 18
Tuesday, November 25
Coach's Corner with Brandon Eggum
Sunday, November 23
Highlights: Gophers 25, Virginia Tech 10
Sunday, November 16