Feb. 21, 2007

ATHENS, Ohio - Sophomore wrestler Albert Madsen has been named the Mid-American Conference wrestler of the week after his 141-pound win against No. 5 Central Michigan last week, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Madsen (Strongsville, Ohio) finished off the 2006-07 regular season last Thursday with a 10-6 win over the Chippewas' Eric Kruger. Kruger entered the competition ranked 17th in the nation according to the National Wrestling Coaches Association rankings and was the top-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds in the MAC. Madsen came into the match second in the conference rankings.

Thursday's match started with a quick takedown by Madsen for a 2-0 lead. Kruger escaped, but not before Madsen earned a riding time advantage. Kruger started the second period with an escape to tie the score at two but Madsen answered with another takedown. After another Kruger escape, Madsen took him down again for a 6-3 lead after two periods. Kruger started the third with a takedown but Madsen countered with an escape and a takedown of his own for a 10-6 win over the 17th-ranked wrestler in the country.

The win moved Madsen to 10-7 on the season and will likely give him the top seed at 141 pounds in the upcoming MAC Championship. He is a perfect 5-0 in MAC dual meets this season. The event will be held March 3-4 in Buffalo, N.Y. The Bobcats have recorded a 16-8 overall record this season, the most dual meet wins in a single season in the 10-year coaching career of Ohio Head Coach Joel Greenlee. The Bobcats finished 2-3 in MAC dual meets this season.

Madsen is the second Ohio wrestler to earn the MAC honor this season, joining fellow sophomore Terry Jackson (Uhrichsville, Ohio).