BLACKSBURG – Graduate transfer Nathan Traxler has been named ACC Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his short tenure in Blacksburg after upsetting No. 13 Zach Elam to win the match and secure the comeback, upset 18-16 victory over No. 3 Mizzou this past Saturday evening in Columbia, Mo.
With the team score 16-15 in favor of Mizzou, the dual outcome loomed in the hands of the heavyweights. In a chess match of a bout, the score was tied one apiece at the end of regulation courtesy of escape points awarded to each wrestler. Two minutes on the clock in sudden victory made the moment that much larger, but Traxler was on the attack early, getting in on two attacks and eventually securing neutral danger count for the dual and match victory.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 🙌
— Virginia Tech Wrestling (@HokiesWrestling) December 5, 2021
We put on for the city ✊#Hokies #ALLINALLTHETIME🦃 pic.twitter.com/K7nFi4J7ud
Earlier in the day, Traxler also secured a 4-3 victory over Tyrell Gordon of UNI to help the No. 10 Hokies dismantle the No. 17 UNI Panthers 39-3 to help his case as ACC Wrestler of the Week.
Traxler and the Hokies travel to Niceville, Florida for the 2021 Journeymen Collegiate Duals, December 20-21.