The chances of earning a MAC Wrestler of the Week award usually aren’t good if you only wrestle in one match during that time.

But redshirt sophomore Duke Burk made his only match count, beating Northwestern’s eighth-ranked Nick Hayes Friday night in 174-pound match. Because of this win, Burk was named MAC Wrestler of the Week.

“It’s well-deserved,” head coach Dave Grant said. “He came in at a crucial point and did something really special, helping us win and also beating a top 10 opponent.”

Burk’s 3-1 win gave the Huskies a 22-16 lead with one match left and prove to be the difference because NIU lost the final match but won overall, 22-19.

“It means a lot because we don’t get [the award] often,” Burk said. “A lot of times our guys have deserved it in the past but never got it for some reason.”

The Peoria native is now 8-1 this season and 4-1 in dual-meet competition.
Instead of being ranked higher in the standings after his big win, Burk dropped from No. 13 to No. 14 in the Intermatwrestle.com rankings.

“I talked to my brother about it,” Burk said. “Early in the season, people look at the Las Vegas tournament. And I think if I do well at the Midlands, it’ll help.”

The NIU grapplers will be back in action Dec. 15 when they host Augustana.

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