Michigan State University Athletics
Peyton Omania Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
2/24/2021 2:15:00 PM | Wrestling
Spartan redshirt-freshman registers emotional upset win.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State wrestler Peyton Omania was named the Big Ten Conference Wrestler of the Week, announced by the conference office Wednesday.
Omania is Michigan State's first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week award recipient since Drew Hughes earned the accolade on Dec. 11, 2018.
A native of Concord, Calif., Omania is a redshirt-freshman 149-pounder. In Friday night's dual vs. No. 4 Michigan, as a special tribute to his De La Salle High School and Greco-Roman coach, Mark Halvorson, who unexpectedly passed away last week, Omania upset No. 5 Kanen Storr of Michigan, 15-8. After the win, Omania collapsed on the mat in emotion, then celebrated, pointing up at his dad who traveled from California.
THIS ONE'S FOR YOU COACH!!@P8in_ Omania pulls off frenzied 15-8 upset over No. 7 Kanen Storr (MICH), then is overcome with emotion in tribute to his @dlsathletics HS coach Mark Halvorson, who unexpectedly passed away this past week. #SpartanStrong #GoGreen @ncaawrestling pic.twitter.com/sTtRQ32fHS
— Spartan Wrestling (@wrestlingmsu) February 19, 2021
The Spartan used a frenzied start complete with two headlocks to open a 12-1 lead in the first period, as Omania scored a pair of takedowns and ensuing four-point nearfalls. Omania's 15 points was a new season-high for him and he now has double-digit points in all three wins. The 15 points were nearly twice as many as Storr's previous high for points allowed against him, after an 8-1 loss on Feb. 12.
Omania, unranked in four of the five rankings and No. 32 in TheOpenMat rankings, upset the two-time All-American Storr, who was ranked in the top eight in all five rankings, including No. 5 in InterMat and TheOpenMat.
The emotional win was recognized by both NCAA Wrestling and USA Wrestling.
Emotional Upset @wrestlingmsu's Peyton Omania was emotional following a gigantic upset of No. 7 Kanen Storr. @P8in_ 's former head coach, Mark Halvorson, passed away earlier this week.#NCAAWrestling x 🎥 @MichiganStOnBTN pic.twitter.com/rgkcXkSAsu
— NCAA Wrestling (@ncaawrestling) February 20, 2021
Omania and the Spartans are off this week in preparations for the Big Ten Championships at University Park, Pa., hosted by Penn State, Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7 at PSU's Bryce Jordan Center.Match of the Day: Peyton Omania flexes Greco prowess in emotional upset over Kanen Storr
— USA Wrestling (@USAWrestling) February 23, 2021
📽️: https://t.co/W7ksS28Xu2 pic.twitter.com/oEjNtveaHw
