MADISON, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Jared Stricker (So. - Ashland, Wis.) was named the WIAC Kwik Trip Athlete of the Week in wrestling for the week of Jan. 9-15. Stricker's performances against nationally ranked wrestlers helped the Blugolds win the Budd Whitehill Duals.
Stricker was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Budd Whitehill Duals, a 16-team tournament which featured four nationally ranked squads. He went 5-0 and upset two wrestlers ranked in the top five nationally to help the Blugolds win the tournament championship. Four of his five victories came via fall. The other win, a 7-4 decision, came in a victory over Stefan Major of Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.) in the championship dual. Major is ranked No. 4 in the country at 174 pounds. Stricker's victory helped the Blugolds knock off No. 6-ranked Stevens 23-13 to win the title.
Stricker also beat a ranked foe in a semifinal dual, pinning Charlie Grygas of State University of New York-Oswego in the third period. Grygas is ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division III.
The Blugolds return home this weekend to host UW-Platteville in a dual on Saturday, Jan. 21. Wrestling begins at 1 p.m. at the McPhee Center.
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