Feb. 8, 2012

CLEVELAND – Northern Illinois University wrestler Brad Dieckhaus (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) was named the Mid-American Conference’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Week, the league announced Wednesday. The award is voted on by a select group of faculty athletic representatives from the conference’s member institutions.
 
Dieckhaus returned to the lineup Friday night at No. 19 Northwestern with a resounding victory, as he pinned NU's Marcus Shrewsbury at 5:15 to spark a late NIU rally that came just short against the Wildcats. The redshirt senior improved his record on the year to a perfect 8-0 and recorded his second victory by pinfall on the season. Friday's win was also the St. Charles, Mo., native's 12th consecutive regular season victory, dating back to last season.
 
This was the first time Dieckhaus, who boasts a 4.0 GPA in graduate study, received the honor in his career. The sport management major joins Kristin Hoffman (Oct. 28), Ryan Neir (Nov. 30) and Nabal Jefferson (Dec. 7) as Northern Illinois athletes who have won the honor this season.
 
The Huskies (6-8) return to the mat Sunday, Feb. 12, when they host SIU-Edwardsville and Tiffin on Wrestling Alumni Day. The triangular begins at noon with NIU taking on the in-state rival Cougars.