Iowa wrestler Matt McDonough has been named the Big Ten’s Wrestler of the Week Tuesday.

The sophomore pinned the Wildcats’ then-No. 1 Brandon Precin on Jan. 28 to avenge an earlier loss to Precin at the Midlands. McDonough trailed 3-0 before flattening Precin midway through the third period.

The Hawkeye 125-pounder sparked Iowa on Jan. 30 against Penn State. McDonough pinned Nate Morgan in 4:16 to open up a 6-0 Hawkeye lead and quiet the Nittany Lion crowd.

The Marion native is 16-1 this season with a 12-0 record in dual meets and a 4-0 Big Ten record. The defending national champion leads Iowa in dual competition points scored (59) and pins (8).

This is his first career Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honor, and he is the first Hawkeye selected for the award this season.

— by J.T. Bugos