Bowling Green, KY – After a dominant showing at the Conner Oppenheim Open, hosted by Doane University, senior Weston Melvin has been named the Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Week, conference officials announced Monday.

Melvin, ranked No. 8 at 174 pounds, continued his impressive start to the season with a flawless 5-0 performance to claim the 174-pound title in the Open Division. He opened the tournament with a strong 10-3 decision over No. 24 Braedyn Rakes of Morningside before shutting out Grand View's Thomas Even, 7-0, behind a pair of 3-point takedowns and an escape.

In the quarterfinals, Melvin controlled from start to finish in an 8-0 major decision over Concordia (NE)'s Hunter Weimer, scoring with a 3-point takedown, a 3-point nearfall, an escape, and riding time. The junior added another major decision in the semifinals, powering past Grand View's Xayvion Anderson 14-4 with a series of takedowns and nearfalls.

Melvin capped off his title run in dramatic fashion, earning a 4-1 overtime victory against No. 20 Orion Thivierge of Montana State-Northern. After escaping in the third period, Melvin secured the championship with a 3-point takedown in sudden victory.

The performance marks Melvin's latest statement in an already strong 10-2 start to the season as he earns his first MSC Wrestler of the Week award.

Melvin and the rest of the #12 Patriots will return to action on Saturday, December 13, at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, TN.

For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com. Follow us on Twitter - @UC_Patriots and @UCPatsGameDay, Instagram - @UCPatriots, YouTube – Cumberlands Patriots, and Facebook by searching University of the Cumberlands Athletics.