Student-Athlete of the Week presented by GEICO March. 9, 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 scored a takedown with four seconds remaining in sudden-victory overtime to claim the 174 lbs. EIWA Championship, 3-1, Sunday at the Palestra. Cannon swept through the field with a 4-0 record on the weekend to remain undefeated on the year at 30-0 and qualify for the 2009 NCAA Championships in St. Louis, Mo.

Cannon, the top seed, defeated Cornell's Steve Anceravage, the second seed, in the championship bout 3-1 in sudden victory overtime. Anceravage was the aggressor early in the match and shot in twice on Cannon in the first period but was unable to score. Cannon chose to begin the second period down and escaped after only 35 seconds to take a 1-0 lead. In the third period it was Anceravage who began down and quickly escaped to even the score at one. Neither wrestler was able to score a takedown late in the period, sending the match into overtime. As time wound down in the extra session the two were locked in a scramble when suddenly Cannon gained a dominant position and was awarded the takedown for the 3-1 victory with just 0:04 remaining.

Cannon's tournament also included a 4-3 victory over Navy's Luke Rebertus in the semifinals and two major decisions, 14-4 over Princeton's Travis Erdman and 17-7 over Rutgers's Michael Whalen.   This is the third time Cannon has received the AU Student-Athlete of the Week honor this year.

Cannon's EIWA Championship is the first of his career and the sixth for American since joining the conference. Cannon will now take his perfect 30-0 record into the NCAA Championships where he earned All-America honors last season by placing sixth at 165 lbs.