Matthew Kolodzik named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Princeton's Matthew Kolodizk celebrates his big win over Anthony  Ashnault of Rutgers. Photo: Princeton Athletics.

Matthew Kolodzik (Bellbrook, Ohio/Princeton) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on Nov. 21, 2016.


The Princeton freshman picked up a signature 4-3 win over Rutgers All-American Anthony Ashnault this weekend to jumpstart his young collegiate career. Wrestling at 141 pounds, Kolodzik scored the match winning takedown on Ashnault with five seconds remaining in the bout.


Entering the landmark Battle at the Birthplace outdoor dual meet between Rutgers and Princeton, Kolodzik was ranked No. 10 at 141 pounds while Ashnault held the No. 3 spot. Kolodzik opened the season with a first-place finish at the Southeast Open and now holds a 5-0 record on the year for the Tigers.


Over 16,000 fans filled High Point Solutions Stadium to watch the two Garden State squads compete on the gridiron. Despite Kolodzik’s clutch win, Rutgers emerged victorious in the dual, 19-16.


Kolodzik is coming off a phenomenal summer on the freestyle circuit with a gold medal performance at the University Nationals and finishing in second place at both the UWW Junior Nationals and UWW Junior World Team Trials.


He was a USA Wrestling Junior Freestyle Nationals champion in 2015 and a USA Wrestling Cadet Freestyle Nationals champion in 2012.


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.