COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Wrestling redshirt junior 133-pounder Zach Synon (Cary, Ill.) has been selected as the Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week, announced by the conference office on Wednesday. Synon provided the most electric moment of #TigerStyle’s win over then-No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday when he pinned No. 5 Johnni DiJulius in the third period at 5:59. The Tiger grappler also picked up a 9-4 win against Cameron Kelly of then-No. 21 Ohio on Sunday.
The Tigers trailed the Buckeyes 10-0 when Synon and DiJulius stepped onto the mat. The bout was tied, 2-2, heading into the third period. DiJulius started the match on bottom and grabbed an escape to take a 3-2 lead, but Synon regained the lead a few moments later when he grabbed DiJulis with a double underhook, picking up the No. 5 wrestler in the country and slamming him on the mat for a takedown. The two-point takedown was not enough for Synon however, who got both of DiJulius’ shoulders on the mat for the fall and six team points for the Tigers. Mizzou built off Synon’s momentum, winning six of the final eight matches to take the dual by a score of 26-17.
On Sunday, Synon trailed Kelly, 4-2 after one period, but outscored the Bobcat wrestler, 7-0, over the final four minutes to win, 9-4. Synon scored four points in the third period of the bout. The win made the dual score, 24-9. Mizzou would go on to win the dual, 27-9.
Synon is now 12-3 on the season, 4-0 in duals, and ranked as high as No. 11 in the individual rankings (TheOpenMat.com). The Cary, Ill. native has amassed 16 dual points in four matches, trailing only redshirt sophomore 184-pounder Willie Miklus (Altoona, Iowa) for the team lead in dual points (20). The Tiger junior has placed in two open tournaments this season, finishing first at the Maryville Kauffman Brand Open and second at the Joe Parisi Open.
In 2014-15, Synon captured the MAC Championship at 133 pounds and qualified for the NCAA Championship, posting a record of 31-13 overall and 8-5 in duals.
Synon and Mizzou will face Kent State on the road in a MAC showdown on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. CT.
For all the latest on Mizzou Wrestling, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (MizzouWrestling).
