Nov. 14, 2012

CLEVELAND – Northern Illinois sophomore Derek Elmore was named the Mid-American Conference’s Wrestler of the Week, the league office announced Wednesday.
 
Elmore played a large part in a big weekend for the Huskies, posting a 3-0 record with two pins and a major decision to help Northern Illinois sweep the Huskie Duals and get the program's 500th win. The sophomore got things off with a fast start with a first period pin of Tiffin's Jordan Shoemaker, putting the Dragon on his back at 1:17. He kept that pin streak going against South Dakota State on Aaron Pickrel for a pin at 1:38.
 
Elmore completed his day with a dominant 15-3 win over Indiana's Joe Duca. Northern Illinois 19-13 win over Indiana was also the program's first over a Big Ten school since 2009 and their first over the Hoosiers since 2002.
 
This was Elmore’s first time taking the conference-wide honor. In addition, the Loves Park, Ill., native became the first Huskie to win the award since Dec. 1, 2011, when Brad Dieckhaus took home the weekly honor.
 
NIU returns to the mats Saturday when they host Purdue, Loras and Calumet College of St. Joseph in the NIU Duals. The action starts at 10 a.m. in Victor E. Court.