Bowling Green, KY – Coming off a strong performance in which he knocked off a top-ranked opponent Patriots wrestler O'Brian Black earned his first Mid-South Conference wrestler of the week award, the conference office announced Monday.  The freshman posted a pair of wins on the week as the Patriots faced two top-five opponents. 

The Helena, AL native went 2-0 on the week with a pair of decisions.  Black took down top-ranked in the NAIA at 149 Denver Stonecheck from Life and  Trevor Burdick from Reinhardt to score six points for UC across the two duals.

In the match against Stonecheck there was a lot of action, starting with Black getting a takedown in the opening minutes. Stonecheck was able to get points for an escape and takedown. Black earned another point at the end of the round to tie the match 3-3. In the second period, Stonecheck notched four points while Black notched two. With Black down 5-7, he started in the bottom position. He was able to get two points for a reversal, then Stonecheck escaped. Black then got another takedown and Stonecheck notched another escape to even the match at 9-9. In the final seconds of the period, Black was able to get one final takedown to get the 11-9 decision win.

Black opened the week against Trevor Burdick, the first period was a stalemate. In the second period, Burdick got the scoring started with an escape and takedown to notch three points. Black got a point for escaping at the end of the period. Then he opened the third period with another escape. Next, he notched a takedown to a 4-3 lead. Burdick was awarded a point for riding time, to send the match into overtime. In overtime, Black notched a takedown to get the 6-4 sudden victory win.

So far this year, Black is 10-4 on the season, including a third-place finish at the Patriot Open in 157 lbs. He is 3-1 for the Patriots in dual matches and currently ranked sixth in the MSC at 157. 

Cumberlands will start the 2022 portion on January 6^th and 7^th competing at the NWCA/NAIA National Duals.

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