Two and a half years absent from the mats was not enough to slow down Joe Tymoszczuk, as he was named Mid-American Conference wrestler of the week on Feb. 16.

Competing in two MAC duals in one weekend, Tymoszczuk, a junior heavyweight, first defeated Ohio University's Andy Hartshom despite Hartshom's 40 pound advantage and third ranking in the MAC.

"I was pretty nervous at first," said Tymoszczuk. "Once I stepped on the mat, that went away and it was just wrestling. I'm pretty competitive so the nerves didn't last long."

Less than 48 hours later, filling in for an injured Brendan Barlow, he defeated Eastern Michigan's David Wade, ranked fourth in the MAC.

"Beating Ohio University definitely gave me some confidence heading into Sunday," commented Tymoszczuk. "I'm a competitor, so winning those two matches was nice after not wrestling for so long."

Tymoszczuk's road back to the wrestling mats was long and uneasy before transferring to Kent State from Ohio to play football.

As a junior at Lake Catholic High School, he tore his left ACL playing football. The following year, he tore his right ACL.

A torn meniscus and four knee surgeries later, Tymoszczuk was not getting the attention he had once gotten from Ohio University's football staff.

"I came to Kent to play football, but wanted something competitive to do during the winter," said Tymoszczuk. "It had been a long time since I wrestled, but I didn't look at [the MAC Duals] any differently. I looked at it just as any other match."

Heading into next season, Tymoszczuk says he isn't looking too far ahead.

"[Head Coach] Jim Andrassy would like me to wrestle at 197 [pounds]. But I'd also like to play football at a heavier weight. My uncle played it and I love the game, but I like wrestling a lot."

For Tymoszczuk, it comes down to one simple characteristic.

"I'm real competitive, said Tymoszczuk with a grin. "I love being a competitor, so I could play football or I could wrestle. It's up in the air right now, but I'll deal with that when the time comes."