Isaiah Martinez Named B1G Athlete of the Week

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Isaiah Martinez Named B1G Athlete of the Week
Martinez Notched a Pin and Tech Fall in New York

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The office of the Big Ten announced that 157-pounder Isaiah Martinez as the Big Ten Wrestling Athlete of the Week. His performance in Sunday’s Grapple at the Garden and against No. 25 Princeton at the New York Athletic Club led the No. 9 Fighting Illini to three victories. This is Martinez’s second career Big Ten Athlete of the Week honor, the first coming on February 17, 2015.

Wrestling at the Grapple at the Garden, No. 1 Isaiah Martinez knocked off No. 16 Louis Mascola as the Illini routed Big Ten foe Maryland 34-9. An hour later, Martinez pinned Michael Comunale of Drexel as the Illini won again, 31-9.

Trailing Princeton 9-5, the No. 1 grappler at 157 pounds recorded another technical fall against Princeton’s Francesco Fabozzi (17-2) to give the Illini a 10-9 lead. The performance ignited the Illini as they went on a 15-0 run to take a 20-9 lead before holding on to win 20-15 over the ranked Tigers.

The redshirt-sophomore won the 157-pound NCAA Championships last year, the Big Ten Championship, and was named Freshman of the Year by InterMat and Amateur Wrestling. He is currently on a 50-match winning streak, including his 8-0 start to this season.