Jan. 15, 2013
Stillwater, Okla. — Oklahoma State wrestling’s Chris Chionuma was named the national Wrestler of the Week by TheMat.com for his performance against No. 10 Ethen Lofthouse of Iowa.
It appeared that the Oklahoma State-Iowa dual meet was headed for a tie going into the 184-pound match with each favorite winning his respective bout. The turning point was when Chionuma, ranked No. 15 nationally, upset the All-American Lofthouse, 3-2, tying the team score at 12-12. The second-ranked Cowboys (8-0), which trailed 12-3 after five matches, came back to defeat the Hawkeyes, 18-12.
Chionuma put the first points on the board in the bout with an escape in the second period. Lofthouse responded with an escape in the third, but it was Chionuma’s takedown with just over a minute left in the match that put him over the top and clinched the win for the Cowboys at 184 pounds.
It was Chionuma’s second win over a ranked opponent this season as he improved to 15-5 overall.
The Cowboys return to action on Friday when they take on West Virginia at 7 p.m. in Stillwater.
