2021-22 Men's Wrestlers of the Week
Players of the week are evaluated on their performance during the week prior to the announcement. Each player is selected out of a pool of conference and Continental Athletic Conference (Independents) award winners.
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Wrestler of the Week: Jack Bass, Life (Ga.)
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He won the 157 lbs. bracket at the Mountaineer Open that was hosted by Appalachian State. During the tournament, he was 4-1 with all four victories by Fall. He defeated Mason Stewart (Virginia Military Institute) Fall, 1:03; Marvin Pineda-Lobo (Duke) Fall, 1:26; Clint Morrissette (Life U) Fall, 1:15; Cayleb Atkins (Appalachian State) Fall, 1:09. |
Nominees: Gabe Gray, Wayland Baptist (Texas); Brandon Anderson, Ottawa (Kan.); Sam Osho, Marian (Ind.); Matt Robertson, St. Ambrose (Iowa); Landon Chambers, Montreat (N.C.); KC Buday, Providence (Mont.); Nikolas Perovic, Williams Baptist (Ark.)
Wrestler of the Week: Julian Hernadez, Life (Ga.)
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No. 11 ranked Julian Hernandez had quite the showing at the Wrestlers in Business Network Life U Open. In the 149 lbs. bracket that featured multiple NAIA All-Americans and last year’s National Champion, Hernandez improved to 11-0 on the year capturing the bracket. Hernandez upset No. 8 Trent Johnson in a 3-1 decision in sudden victory and then took down Landon Chamber 4-3 in the semifinals. No. 3 Latimer fell to Luallen in the semifinals, before Hernandez won the bracket in a 5-4 decision against the No. 9 ranked wrestler at 157 lbs. |
Nominees: Nick Henneman, Lourdes (Ohio); Isaiah Luellen, Baker (Kan.); Keegan Luton, Oklahoma City University; Joel Avila, Providence (Mont.); JD Perez, Ottawa (Kan.); Steven Weathers, Missouri Baptist; Landon Chambers, Montreat (N.C.); Mario Ybarra, Concordia (Neb.)
Wrestler of the Week: Esco Walker , Grand View (Iowa)
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Walker defeated the #1 ranked wrestler and reigning national champion Brandon Orum from Life University (Ga.) in his second match at the NWCA National Duals. In his first match-up, he knocked off Tyrique Simms in Fall 1:19. |
Nominees: Matthew Gimson, Indiana Tech; Sid Ohl, Life (Ga.); Dylan Reel, Ottawa (Kan.); Baagii Boldmaa, Doane (Neb.); Avry Mutschler, Reinhardt (Ga.); Jay Smith, Eastern Oregon
Wrestler of the Week: Wyatt Kirkham, Southeastern (Fla.)
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Kirkham came away with a huge upset, defeating returning All-American and third-ranked Taygen Smith 5-2 to help SEU defeat Hastings. Kirkham led 3-2 to start the third after being given an escape and fended off multiple shots by Smith before landing one of his own with just 36 seconds remaining to give him his first ranked victory. This is his first year in the starting lineup for the Fire after redshirting as a freshman and missing last season with an injury. |
Nominees: Carson Taylor, Grand View (Iowa); Andrew Sims, Lincoln (Ill.); German Munoz, Corban (Ore.); Christian Balmer, Briar Cliff (Iowa); Kolby Encinas, Oklahoma Wesleyan; Trevor Marsman, Cornerstone (Mich.); Avry Mutschler, Reinhardt (Ga.)
Wrestler of the Week: Tommy Mommer, Grand View (Iowa)
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Tommy Mommer won the Missouri Valley invite. Beat #8, #5, and #2 in the country. In his first bout he earned a 16-0 tech fall over Caleb Hardeman of Southeastern (Fla.) followed by Fall 0:00 against David Toese of Graceland University. The final three victories were 2-0 decision against Joshua Isaac of Missouri Valley, Aaron Johnson of Cumberlands, and Noel Orozco of Eastern Oregon University. |
Nominees: Brevin Balmeceda, Life (Ga.); Keegan Luton, Oklahoma City University; Jake Callahan, Avila (Mo.); Isaiah Casto, WVU Tech; Steven Weathers, Missouri Baptist; Theorius Robison, University of Jamestown (N.D.); Riley Siason, Menlo (Calif.)
Wrestler of the Week: Gavin Smith, Campbellsville (Ky.)
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Ranked #8 in the 165 class Gavin Smith weighed in at 165 but moved up to the 174 class at the Lindsey Wilson College Tournament. Facing off against Joe Koontz, the #1 ranked 174 pound wrestler in the country. Smith won in convincing fashion by a 5-1 count, which brought his overall record to 11-3 on the year. |
Nominees: Jordan Martinez, Texas Wesleyan; Payton Hume, Providence (Mont.); Joshua Isaac, Missouri Valley; Dillon Witt, Missouri Baptist; John Fox, York (Neb.); Vernon Willis, Jr., Indiana Tech; Cole Luallen, Reinhardt (Ga.); Chinges Tsermaa, Doane (Neb.)
Wrestler of the Week: Jordan Komac, University of Providence (Mont.)
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Komac went 3-0 this weekend, including two wins over ranked opponents. He was a big reason why the Argos won all three of their duals on the weekend. Against Embry-Riddle, he defeated 11th ranked Keller Rock in a 4-2 decision, bested Vanguard's fifth ranked Frederick Padilla 3-1, and finished off a major decision win over Josiah Opp from Arizona Christian. |
Nominees: Gabe Jacobs, Cumberlands (Ky.); Caleb Connor, Morningside (Iowa); Drake McKee, Texas Wesleyan; Trey McCartney, Marian (Ind.); Chris Morales, Lincoln (Ill.); Tate Nordby, Dickinson State (S.D.); Chad Sakamoto, Oklahoma Wesleyan; Taquel Young, Montreat (N.C.)
Wrestler of the Week: Nate Wheeler, Indiana Tech
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Wheeler was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the WHAC Tournament after going 3-0 to win the 157-lbs. title. The junior is the #1 ranked wrestler in the weight class and has an overall record of 27-3 and 9-0 in duals. In the WHAC Tournament he won 8-0 over Garret Anderson (Lourdes), 7-2 against Thade Radosa (Cornerstone), and 12th ranked Bailey Moore (Marian) Fall, 1:54.
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Nominees: Chasen Brown, Cumberlands (Ky.); Jackson Chapin, Morningside (Iowa); Logan Johnson, Avila (Mo.); Hayden Schrull, Providence (Mont.); Dalton Towe, Montreat (N.C.)
