Jacob Colon named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week

Jacob Colon (Grand View) celebrates winning the 2016 NAIA national title at 133 pounds.

Jacob Colon (Clear Lake, Iowa/Grand View) has been selected as TheMat.com Athlete of the Week on January 9, 2017.


Colon, a senior for perennial NAIA power Grand View University, posted a 4-0 record for the Vikings at the 2017 NWCA Multi-Divisional National Duals held in Fort Wayne, Indiana over the weekend.


Ranked No. 1 in the NAIA at 133 pounds, Colon pushed through his National Duals competition with relative ease. He opened with a 16-0 technical fall over Doane’s Jonathan Fletcher, followed by a third-period pin over Campbellsville’s Kolten Radaz. Baker University forfeited to Colon in the semifinals.


In the championship dual, Colon dominated Indiana Tech’s defending 125-pound national champion Mitch Pawlak by major decision, 13-0. Pawlak is currently ranked second in the NAIA behind Colon at 133 pounds.


Colon’s efforts were a major contributor to Grand View winning the programs sixth-straight championship at the National Duals, and will be as equally important in the Vikings quest to six-peat as NAIA champions in March.


Colon has collected two NAIA All-American honors during his time at Grand View. He finished in fourth place at the NAIA Championships in 2015 and was a national champion last season.


In 2012, Colon earned All-American status in the junior college ranks while competing for Iowa Central. After the 2012 season, Colon took two years away from wrestling before electing to return at Grand View.


Colon, a north Iowa product, qualified for the Iowa state tournament three times, winning a state title for Clear Lake High School in 2011.


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