Michael Kemerer became the first Hawkeye of the season to win Big Ten honors when it was announced Tuesday that he was Big Ten Wrestler of the Week.

The sophomore nabbed the award after an 18-5 major decision over No. 7 B.J. Clagon last week when Iowa took down No. 22 Rider in Carver-Hawkeye.

The award is the first of the All-American’s career, and although Iowa wrestlers are usually nonchalant about being given weekly honors, Kemerer said that it does feel like an accomplishment.

“It’s cool to see. Only one person gets it a week so I guess it means I’m doing something right,” Kemerer said. “But it’s still November and obviously that’s not the ultimate goal but it’s a good feeling.

Kemerer, the No. 3 ranked wrestler in the country, is set to take on yet another top-20 opponent on Friday. Kyle Langenderfer, a senior for No. 15 Illinois and two-time NCAA championship qualifier, is 4-2 on the season. He has losses to Fresno State’s Greg Gaxiola and No. 2 Joey Lavallee.

Kemerer, as well as Iowa head coach Tom Brands and the rest of the team, continue to stress that it is still very early in the season. This means that the wrestlers are not necessarily at their peak, including Kemerer. However, he’s done pretty well for himself so far.

“I think it just gives me confidence to keep improving, keep getting better every week, keep working hard to build to that 100 percent, as [Brands] would say,” Kemerer said. “When I’m out there on the mat I’m competing hard, I’m in here training hard and it’s a week by week thing to keep building.”

Things still not set at 165

The only “or” listed on the roster for the upcoming dual is at 165, where both Kaleb Young and Alex Marinelli are listed as probable.

Whichever redshirt freshman it ends up being will have their hands full with Isaiah Martinez.

The Illinois senior comes into the season a two-time NCAA champion at 157, and placed second at last year’s tournament after moving up to 165. Martinez is ranked No. 2 behind Vincenzo Joseph, who defeated him in St. Louis.

Fans will likely not find out which Hawkeye will go up against Martinez until the time of the matchup, and Brands did not give much of an indication as to who will take the mat.

“They’re both listed,” Brands said. “There’s a few ‘ors’ and that’s still and ‘or.’ “

Either way, the plan for Martinez doesn’t change. He may be a top-ranked wrestler, but whoever takes him on has to stay focused on their keys and wrestle smart.

“The plan is to go out there and compete and do what we do best. I’m not one of these coaches that can worry about what a guy can do,” Brands said. “You just have to go out there and wrestle him.”

A last first

Brandon Sorensen will open up Big Ten competition for the last first time of his career as a Hawkeye.

The three-time All-American is set to take on sophomore Eric Barone. The wrestlers have seen each other in just one match-up last year at the Big Ten tournament, where Sorenson won a 2-0 decision in the second round.

“Last first, yeah. It feels good. I’m ready for it,” Sorensen said. “It goes fast. I’m trying my best to enjoy it.”