Nebraska-Omaha's J.D. Naig named The Mat.com Wrestler of the Week for March 6-12
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by Craig Sesker
J.D. Naig (Emmetsburg, Iowa/Nebraska-Omaha) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for March 6-12.
Each week, TheMat.com 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. The announcement will be made each week on Wednesday.
Naig capped his collegiate career by winning his third straight national title on March 10 at the NCAA Division II Championships in Kearney, Neb. The top-ranked Naig, a senior, rolled to a 13-1 major decision over No. 4 Michael Jackson of Indianapolis in the 174-pound finals. He beat Jackson in the finals for the second straight season. Naig was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Naig won his first national title at 165 in 2005 before adding his second crown after moving up to 174 in 2006. He placed third at nationals as a freshman 165-pounder. Naig wrestled on national championship teams his first three seasons for the Mavericks before leading UNO to a third-place team finish in 2007.
Naig became the 10th four-time All-American in University of Nebraska at Omaha history. He is just the third three-time national champion in school history, following three-time champion Roy Washington (1968-70) and four-time champion Les Sigman (2003-06).
Naig finished his senior season with a 42-7 record. He now ranks fourth in career wins at UNO after ending his career with a 140-26 record.
Naig also excels off the mat as a first team Academic All-American.
Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org
Each week, TheMat.com 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. The announcement will be made each week on Wednesday.
Naig capped his collegiate career by winning his third straight national title on March 10 at the NCAA Division II Championships in Kearney, Neb. The top-ranked Naig, a senior, rolled to a 13-1 major decision over No. 4 Michael Jackson of Indianapolis in the 174-pound finals. He beat Jackson in the finals for the second straight season. Naig was named Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.
Naig won his first national title at 165 in 2005 before adding his second crown after moving up to 174 in 2006. He placed third at nationals as a freshman 165-pounder. Naig wrestled on national championship teams his first three seasons for the Mavericks before leading UNO to a third-place team finish in 2007.
Naig became the 10th four-time All-American in University of Nebraska at Omaha history. He is just the third three-time national champion in school history, following three-time champion Roy Washington (1968-70) and four-time champion Les Sigman (2003-06).
Naig finished his senior season with a 42-7 record. He now ranks fourth in career wins at UNO after ending his career with a 140-26 record.
Naig also excels off the mat as a first team Academic All-American.
Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org
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