CLEVELAND, Ohio -- ODU redshirt freshman Emilio Saavedra was named Co-MAC Wrestler of the Week on Wednesday after capturing the 133 lb. title at the 53rd Ken Kraft Midlands Championships last week at Northwestern. The Modesto, California native shared the honor with Ohio’s Cody Walters who also earned first place at the Midlands.
Entering the tournament unranked and as the No. 13 seed, Saavedra first pinned Franklin & Marshall's Scott Stevens in 2:50 in the opening round. He then knocked off Nebraska's No. 13 Eric Montoya in the round of 16 by a 5-4 decision before defeating Lehigh's 17th-ranked, two-time All-American, Mason Beckman, by a 4-2 OT decision in the quarterfinals. After receiving a medical forfeit in the semifinals, Saavedra earned the 133 lb. Midlands crown with a double-overtime takedown to upend Northern Iowa's No. 18 Josh Alber, 4-2 in 2 OT.
The 133-pounder has now entered every major rankings publication and is currently listed as high as No. 8 in the nation by The Open Mat. Saavedra's title helped the Monarchs finish in seventh place out of 38 teams at the Midlands.
Saavedra and the Monarchs are back in action at the Virginia Duals on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 8-9 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia.