Kevin Tao: American’s Student Athlete of the Wk, Talks to Takedown Wrestling

Release: http://aueagles.com/sports/m-wrestl/2011-12/releases/20111214
Kevin Tao of the American University wrestling team has been selected as the AU Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO, Department of Athletics officials have announced.

Tao helped pace the Eagles to a 27-15 dual meet victory over George Mason last Saturday as they picked up their first victory of the season. Individually, the 149 pounder picked up a 23-10 major decision over the Patriots’ Mike Bakuckas.

With the win, Tao improves to 9-5 on the season and is currently riding a four-bout winning streak. He has posted a team-best six major decisions including in each of his last four victories.

As a team, American dropped one spot to No. 10 in the IntraMat tournament-strength rankings this week. The three Eagles ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight class — No. 1 Ryan Flores (285 lbs.), No. 4 Ganbayar Sanjaa (157 lbs.) and No. 9 Matt Mariacher (141 lbs.) — remained unchanged after each posted victories at George Mason. No. 14 Daniel Mitchell remains in the rankings at 197 lbs. but fell three spots in this week’s poll.

The Eagles will have the next two weeks off for final exams and the holiday break before returning to the mat for the 49th-annual Midlands Championships, which will be held on December 29-30 on the campus of Northwestern in Evanston, Ill.

Scott Casber
Founder/Host
Takedown Wrestling Radio and TV
USA Wrestling Weekly
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