Montana DeLawder selected as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
by Taylor Miller-Gregorio
Photo of Montana DeLawder locking up a cradle against Cameron Guerin. Photo by King University.
Montana DeLawder (Gettysburg, Pa./King University) has been selected as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week on Jan. 11, 2022.
DeLawder, a freshman, was essential in helping the King’s women’s wrestling program secure its fifth NWCA National Duals title in program history. Wrestling at 130 pounds, where she is ranked No. 3 in the country, she went 3-0 at the event.
In her first bout against No. 7 Tiffin, DeLawder earned a fall over Solana Mottola in just 47 seconds. On day two of the event, she earned starts in the semifinals and finals. In the semis vs. North Central, DeLawder met No. 3 at 123 pounds Asia Nguyen-Smith, who she dominated with a pin in 4:10.
In the championship dual against McKendree, DeLawder faced multiple-time USA Wrestling age-group World Team member and top-ranked Cameron Guerin, who also finished fourth at the 2020 Olympic Team Trials. DeLawder outlasted the No. 1 wrestler with a 7-4 decision, which King head coach Jason Moorman called “a pivotal match helping our team win the championship.”
Each week USA Wrestling will select an Athlete of the Week based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling from youth programs through the senior level.
To nominate a wrestler for this honor please send the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to USA Wrestling Manager of Communications and Social Media Taylor Miller-Gregorio at tmiller@usawrestling.org.