NewsAthlete of WeekUSAW
Kendric Maple selected as USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Kendric Maple celebrates his U.S. Open title at 65 kg. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors
Kendric Maple (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) was named USA Wrestling Wrestler of the Week on May 4, 2022.
He claiming the national title at 65 kg in men’s freestyle at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 30. It was his second career U.S. Open title, to go along with his 2017 U.S. Open crown.
Maple, who came out of retirement to compete at the U.S. Open, received the No. 6 seed at the weight class. He opened with a pair of technical falls, stopping Kyle Shoop of the Bulls WC and Ty Smith of the Brunson UVRTC.
In the quarterfinals, Maple stopped No. 3 seed Luke Pletcher with a fall in 2:42. In the semifinals, Maple scored a 3-2 victory over No. 2 seed Patricio Lugo of the Hawkeye WC/TMWC.
In the gold medal finals, Maple locked up No. 5 seed Matthew Kolodzic of the New York AC in a cradle and rolled him over for a pin in 54 seconds. Maple was named Outstanding Wrestler in men’s freestyle at the U.S. Open.
An assistant coach at Missouri, Maple made a deal with Mizzou star Keegan O’Toole that if he won the Junior World title last summer, Maple would make a comeback at the Senior level at the U.S. Open. O’Toole held up his part of the bargain, and Maple has now held up his part.
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 during May and June of 2022, please send the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to Director of Communications Gary Abbott at gabbott@usawrestling.org.
Kendric Maple (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) was named USA Wrestling Wrestler of the Week on May 4, 2022.
He claiming the national title at 65 kg in men’s freestyle at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas, Nev. on April 30. It was his second career U.S. Open title, to go along with his 2017 U.S. Open crown.
Maple, who came out of retirement to compete at the U.S. Open, received the No. 6 seed at the weight class. He opened with a pair of technical falls, stopping Kyle Shoop of the Bulls WC and Ty Smith of the Brunson UVRTC.
In the quarterfinals, Maple stopped No. 3 seed Luke Pletcher with a fall in 2:42. In the semifinals, Maple scored a 3-2 victory over No. 2 seed Patricio Lugo of the Hawkeye WC/TMWC.
In the gold medal finals, Maple locked up No. 5 seed Matthew Kolodzic of the New York AC in a cradle and rolled him over for a pin in 54 seconds. Maple was named Outstanding Wrestler in men’s freestyle at the U.S. Open.
An assistant coach at Missouri, Maple made a deal with Mizzou star Keegan O’Toole that if he won the Junior World title last summer, Maple would make a comeback at the Senior level at the U.S. Open. O’Toole held up his part of the bargain, and Maple has now held up his part.
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 during May and June of 2022, please send the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments and career accolades to Director of Communications Gary Abbott at gabbott@usawrestling.org.