UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; January 8, 2019 – Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Bo Nickal (Allen, Texas) has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for the week ending January 6, 2019. Nickal earns Penn State's second weekly honor of the 2018-19 season.
Nickal was simply unstoppable at the 2019 Southern Scuffle on Jan. 1-2 in Chattanooga. Ranked No. 1 at 197, he pinned his way to his third Southern Scuffle crown and remained unbeaten on the year. Nickal, the top seed, went 5-0 with five pins, four of which amazingly came in the first period. Nickal was named the tournament's Outstanding Wrestler, earning the honor for the second time (he won in 2016). Nickal also won the Gorriaran Award for most pins in the least amount of time.
Nickal wrestled five times, had five pins, and was on the mat for only 10:32 of a potential 35:00 minutes. Nickal also eclipsed a personal milestone at the event. His third pin was the 100th career victory for the Lion senior. Nickal helped lead Penn State to the Southern Scuffle team title, its eighth in its last eight trips to the event. Nickal is now 12-0 on the year, all bonus point wins. He has nine pins, one technical fall and two majors.
Penn State begin Big Ten action this week with an away dual at Northwestern on Friday, Jan. 11, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. The Nittany Lions then welcome Wisconsin to Rec Hall on Sunday, Jan. 13, for a 1 p.m. dual.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.
