Sammy Brooks named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Sammy Brooks (Iowa) celebrates after his win at the Grapple on the Gridiron on Saturday. Photo: Mark Lundy.

Sammy Brooks (University of Iowa) has been selected as TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Nov. 16, 2015.


The Hawkeye standout scored a 17-2 technical fall win over Jordan Rogers of Oklahoma State at 184 pounds in the historic Grapple on the Gridiron event on Saturday.


The win by Brooks gave Iowa five team points and a 15-13 lead over Oklahoma State with two matches remaining in the dual. His bonus point victory proved to be the difference with Iowa emerging victorious 18-16.


Entering his junior year in the Hawkeye program, Brooks is ranked No. 11 at 184 pounds by Flowrestling. He was a third place finisher at the Big Ten Championships and a NCAA qualifier last season.


The Grapple on the Gridiron shattered the NCAA attendance record as 42,287 fans packed Kinnick Stadium to see college wrestling’s two most storied programs do battle.


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.


To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Athlete of the Week please send the athlete’s name, wrestling program and weekly and career accomplishments to Richard Immel at rimmel@usawrestling.org.