Wrestling: Freshman earns Big 12 honor

Fresh off of an impressive weekend where he recorded two Big 12 victories, including a defeat of the defending national champion and No. 4 ranked Paul Donahoe, OU freshman Joey Fio was named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Monday.

 The conference honor is the first for the Sandpoint, Idaho, native, and the first by a Sooner this season. The 125-pounder is also the lone freshman in the conference to garner the award this year.

“True-freshmen that start usually go through a challenging transition, and Joey is no different,” head coach Jack Spates said. “His hard work and persistence were rewarded last weekend with two huge victories. This award is well-deserved and we are very proud of him.”

Fio posted an 11-2 major decision over John Olanowski of No. 12 ranked Missouri last Friday, which gave him his 10th dual win this season. He followed up with a stunning upset victory in Lincoln on Sunday by defeating Donahoe of the No. 2 ranked Huskers. After being down 4-3 to begin the third period, Fio scored a takedown and an escape to win by decision, 6-5.

The win over the Husker was Fio’s second this season against a Top 10 opponent. He defeated then-No. 9 ranked Javier Madonado of UT-Chattanooga on Jan. 18.