Southern Oregon's Tommy Hooper named inaugural NAIA Wrestler of the Week
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by Amanda C.
Tommie Hooper of Southern Oregon has been named inaugural NAIA National Wrestler of the Week, the national office announced Wednesday. Hooper was selected based on his performances from Jan. 3 - 9.
Hooper went 5-0 at 157 pounds for the Raiders at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Currently ranked third nationally in his weight class, the junior scored bonus points in four of his bouts via pins, including a 2:32 stick of then-No. 6 Michael Hader of Great Falls (Mont.). Hooper registered a 7-5 decision over then-No. 4 Josh Ballard of McKendree (Ill.) in the fifth-place dual. Southern Oregon finished the event with a 2-2 record and placed sixth as a team after suffering a 25-13 loss to McKendree.
A native of Burns, Ore., Hooper is off to an 11-4 start in his junior campaign, with eight of his victories resulting in bonus points (seven pins, one major decision). Hooper has twice been named an All-America honorable mention.
The next Wrestler of the Week announcement will be on Jan. 19.
Nominees: Joshua Chappa, Cumberland (Tenn.); Chris Chionuma, Lindenwood (Mo.); Brad Cusatis, Hastings (Neb.); Derek Murdock, Cumberlands (Ky.); Drew Smith, Morningside (Iowa); Eric Gruis, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Tommy Prettty, Campbellsville (Ky.); Andrew Sanchez, McKendree (Ill.).
Hooper went 5-0 at 157 pounds for the Raiders at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Currently ranked third nationally in his weight class, the junior scored bonus points in four of his bouts via pins, including a 2:32 stick of then-No. 6 Michael Hader of Great Falls (Mont.). Hooper registered a 7-5 decision over then-No. 4 Josh Ballard of McKendree (Ill.) in the fifth-place dual. Southern Oregon finished the event with a 2-2 record and placed sixth as a team after suffering a 25-13 loss to McKendree.
A native of Burns, Ore., Hooper is off to an 11-4 start in his junior campaign, with eight of his victories resulting in bonus points (seven pins, one major decision). Hooper has twice been named an All-America honorable mention.
The next Wrestler of the Week announcement will be on Jan. 19.
Nominees: Joshua Chappa, Cumberland (Tenn.); Chris Chionuma, Lindenwood (Mo.); Brad Cusatis, Hastings (Neb.); Derek Murdock, Cumberlands (Ky.); Drew Smith, Morningside (Iowa); Eric Gruis, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Tommy Prettty, Campbellsville (Ky.); Andrew Sanchez, McKendree (Ill.).
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