Minnesota's Ryan Lewis named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

University of Minnesota junior wrestler Ryan Lewis has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, following his stunning performance last week versus No. 2 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. It is the second-straight conference honor for a Golden Gopher grappler as junior Luke Becker earned the award last week. Lewis, currently ranked third in the nation at 133 pounds, pinned top-ranked Johnny Thompson of OSU with nine seconds remaining in their match. Lewis was down by as many as five points, but posted a takedown and a reversal in the third period. A native of Vernal, Utah, he is now 13-0 overall and 2-0 in dual meets. A transfer from Division II power North Dakota State where he was a D-II All-American, Lewis proved to be Minnesota's big-time backup during the 2000-01 season. Wrestling behind senior All-American Brett Lawrence, Lewis had an outstanding year, posting a 19-10 record, including a 4-3 mark in duals.