Andrew Long named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Andrew Long (Grand View) at 53rd annual Ken  Kraft Midlands Championship. Photo: Grand View Athletics

Andrew Long (Creston, Iowa/Grand View University) has been selected as TheMat.com wrestler of the week on Jan. 1, 2016.


Long won the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships at 141 pounds in dominating fashion. The Grand View junior posted two falls, two technical falls and a major decision on his way to capturing the Midlands title.


In the finals, Long stole the show once more, defeating Steve Bleise of Northern Illinois by technical fall, 23-5. He was named the Dan Gable Outstanding Wrestler of the competition.


The win by Long gave Grand View its first champion at the prestigious open tournament. Moreover, Long is the first NAIA wrestler to capture a Midlands crown since 2003.


Long was a NCAA finalist as a freshman for Iowa State in 2010 before transferring to Penn State the next year. He was a member of the 2011 NCAA championship team for Penn State and earned a third place finish at the NCAA Championships that same year.


After stints at both Iowa State and Penn State went awry, and finding trouble with the law, Long was forced to leave wrestling for a number of years before finding a home and redemption at NAIA power Grand View.


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 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week please send the athlete’s name, wrestling program and weekly and career accomplishments to Richard Immel at rimmel@usawrestling.org.