COLLEGE WRESTLERS OF THE WEEK: Purdue's Salazar honored by Big Ten

Colton Salazar, Purdue
Jr., 157, Midway, Utah/Wasatch

Salazar won all five duals in his weight class in winning the 157-pound title at the Eastern Michigan Open on Saturday. The junior recorded a major decision in his opening round bout, then took down ranked opponents in the semifinals and final, both by sudden victory. Salazar defeated No. 7 Bryce Saddoris of Navy, 3-1, in the semis, then knocked off No. 12 Kurt Kinser of Indiana, 7-5, in the final. The 11th-ranked grappler in his weight class, Salazar registered 12 takedowns on the weekend and wins his first career weekly award.

North Carolina's Scotton, Duke's Dudziak honored by ACC

GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina junior 157-pounder Thomas Scotton and Duke senior heavyweight Konrad Dudziak have been named the first ACC Wrestlers of the Week for the 2009-10 season.

Scotton and Dudziak were named co-recipients of the honor after both captured weight class titles in Sunday's Hokie Open at Salem, Va. Each wrestler defeated a pair of fellow ACC opponents and one fellow ranked opponent en route to his respective title.

Scotton, ranked 18th by InterMat and coming off a solid showing at the nationals last spring, posted a 5-0 record on his way to the 157-pound title. The Willingboro, N.J,. native's victories included an 8-4 win over Virginia's Pat Riley in the first round, a 10-2 major decision over Appalachian State's William Powell, and a 4-2 overtime decision over 15th-ranked ACC rival Jesse Dong of Virginia Tech in the finals. Dong had posted four straight pins prior to his match with Scotton.

Four ACC teams are slated to be in action this weekend. Duke will wrestle in the Pembroke Open on Saturday. North Carolina will host the fourth annual ACC Challenge on Sunday. ACC representatives Virginia and Virginia Tech will join the Tar Heels in the field, along with American, Bucknell and Gardner-Webb.

South Dakota State's Sorenson honored by Western Wrestling Conference

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - South Dakota State University 197-pounder Tyler Sorenson (Garretson, S.D./Garretson HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference's Wrestler of the Week as announced by league officials.

Sorenson recorded four technical-fall victories, outscoring his opponents 75-12 in the process, in winning the 197-pound title at the season-opening Warren Williamson/Daktronics Open Nov. 7 in Brookings, S.D. He defeated Brian Lunde of the University of Regina in the first round, 19-2, then posted an 18-2 win over Joe Skow of the University of Sioux Falls. In the semifinals, Sorenson won 19-4 over Taylor Yliniemi of Minnesota State, Moorhead, before claiming the title with another 19-4 victory over North Dakota State's Drew Ross.

Sorenson also was named the Co-Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

Other nominees:
North Dakota State - Ryan Adams (149 lbs., Coon Rapids, Minn.)
Northern Colorado - Casey Cruz (141 lbs., Colorado Springs, Colo.)
UNI - Jamal Lawrence (149 lbs., Merrillville, Ind.)
Utah Valley - Monte Schmalhaus (165 lbs., Tooele, Utah)
Wyoming - Dallas Hintz (174 lbs., Ephrata, Wash.)