Spangler earns Big 12 honor

Iowa State's Chris Spangler was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week on Monday. Spangler remained perfect against Big 12 foes with a 7-5 win at 174 pounds over No. 3 Dorian Henderson of Missouri on Sunday.

Spangler, ranked seventh, has been one of the bright spots for the Cyclones, who have dropped to 0-8 in duals. He is 5-1 this season.

Below is the release from Iowa State University:

Iowa State's Spangler is Big 12 Wrestler of the Week

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State's 174-pounder Chris Spangler has been named this week's Big 12 Wrestler of the Week. Seventh-ranked Spangler upset third-ranked Dorian Henderson in the Cyclones' dual meet against Missouri Sunday.

“Chris deserves it,” said Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson. “He is not close to 100 percent and is performing at a very high level. He's proving that it's about the mind not the body.”

Spangler is now 3-0 against Big 12 opponents with wins over Henderson, Chris McNeil of Oklahoma State and Oklahoma's Chase Nelson.

Down in the first period against the Missouri grappler, Spangler fought off an early deficit with a takedown, two back points and late reversal. Spangler's reversal kept the match from overtime as Spangler led 5-4 with 40 seconds remaining, but Henderson had locked up riding time.

Spangler's upset was his second of the season. His first came against No. 6 Ethen Lofthouse of Iowa in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series Dec. 4.

Spangler leads Iowa State in dual takedowns this season with 13, and is third on the team in escapes with eight. The Naperville, Ill., native is 5-1 overall this year. After losing his first dual meet of the season to then-No. 10 Te Edwards of Old Dominion, Spangler has won five straight, three of which were against ranked opponents.

The Cyclones' next competition will be in Evanston, Ill., at the Midlands Championships.