University of Minnesota Athletics
Volkmann Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
2/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
After Volkmann and fellow senior Damion Hahn were honored at intermission of their final home dual meet last Friday against No. 8 Penn State, Volkmann took to the mat and pinned the Nittany Lions' Jarrad Turner in just 1:14. The six team points broke a 9-9 tie and propelled the Golden Gophers to a 28-12 victory.
On Sunday against top-ranked Oklahoma State, Volkmann upset the nation's top-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds. Tyrone Lewis entered the match with a 28-0 record, but Volkmann earned a last second takedown to claim a 3-1 win. His decision gave Minnesota a 17-13 lead against the Cowboys with one match to go and the Golden Gophers held on for a 17-16 win. Oklahoma State entered the match with a 15-match winning streak.
With his two wins, Volkmann moved into the top 10 on Minnesota's all-time career wins list with a 134-20 record. His pin against Penn State on Friday was the 32nd of his career, good for seventh in school history.
Volkmann and the sixth-ranked Golden Gophers (12-6, 5-3) finished the regular season with five straight victories and will look to win its fourth straight Big Ten Championship next week in Columbus, Ohio, March 6-7.
