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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior heavyweight Mike McMullan was named the Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week Tuesday, just days after topping the reigning NCAA champion in an early-season exhibition match at the prestigious NWCA All-Star Classic in Philadelphia.
McMullan squared off North Carolina State's Nick Gwiazdowski, who last season posted a 42-2 record en route to winning the 2014 NCAA championship. McMullan controlled the match from start to finish, improving to 2-1 in his career against Gwiazdowski thanks to an 8-4 decision victory.
McMullan, who was wrestling just down the road from his hometown of Easton, Pa., was named one of two Most Outstanding Wrestlers following the All-Star Classic, which annually features many of the top returning competitors in college wrestling.
The win vaulted McMullan to the No. 1 ranking at heavyweight to begin his senior season. McMullan is a three-time All-American, having placed third, second and third in his three career trips to the NCAA Championships.
McMullan shared the Big Ten's first weekly honor of the 2014-15 season with Minnesota 197-pounder Scott Schiller, who also posted a win over a defending national champion at the All-Star Classic.
Northwestern officially begins the regular season this Saturday (Nov. 8) with a road dual at Stanford.
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