Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO Feb. 16, 2009

Junior Mike Cannon has been named the American University Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO, Department of Athletics officials announced Monday. Cannon won two matches for the Eagles this past weekend and finished his 2008-09 regular season with a perfect 26-0 record.

Cannon has climbed to No. 2 in the national rankings at 174 lbs. since beginning the year at No. 7 in the preseason poll. Against Maryland on Saturday, Cannon began the third period against Bradley Nielson with a 9-3 advantage and finished the match with four takedowns to score an 18-7 major decision. Cannon finished his perfect season against Bucknell on Sunday, earning a 6-0 decision over Shane Riccio. He scored his first points of the bout with under one minute remaining in the first period on a low single-leg take down and improved his lead to 4-0 with a reversal to begin the third. After a stalling call went against Riccio and a bonus point for riding time advantage, Cannon took the decision, 6-0.

The Eagles finished their dual meet schedule with an 11-6 record and a 4-2 mark in the EIWA. Cannon and the rest of the Eagles are now looking forward to the EIWA Championships which will take place March 7-8 at the famed Palestra in Philadelphia.