Big XII Wrestler of the Week honors belong to Buchanan

IRVING, Texas -- For the first time this season, a Wyoming Cowboy has been named the Big 12's Wrestler of the Week. It is the second-career honor for sophomore Stephen Buchanan, who is the first Cowboy to win the award since he won it last season.

Buchanan became the first Cowboy to defeat a No. 1 ranked opponent since Bryce Meredith in 2017. On Saturday, Buchanan knocked off No. 1 Noah Adams of West Virginia who was previously unbeaten on the season and on a 39-match winning streak.

The match started with Adams leading 2-1 after the first period. In the second Buchanan would roll through on Adams creating a frantic exchange in which he scored a reversal before letting Adams escape. Adams would lead Buchanan 5-4 heading into the third period.

In the third period Adams notched an early escape and from there Buchanan would take over. He scored a takedown on the edge of the mat to tie the score at 6-6. After letting Adams escape Buchanan scored the match winning takedown with seconds left in the match, defeating Adams 8-7.

It was also the first time this season that a number one ranked wrestler has lost. For Buchanan, he moves to 6-2 on the season with a 3-1 record over ranked opponents. Up next Wyoming will travel to Oklahoma State this weekend for the Cowboy Challenge Tournament.