University of Minnesota Athletics
Jayson Ness Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
12/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Redshirt freshman Jayson Ness has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced today. The 125-pounder from Bloomington, Minn., posted a pair of decisions last week to jump-start the Gophers in victories over top-ranked Oklahoma State and at No. 7 Iowa State.
Ness overcame an early deficit against OSU's Tyler Shinn to win 6-3 to give the Gophers an early lead against the Cowboys. On Friday at Iowa State, Ness scored five takedowns against Nick Fanthorpe to cruise to a 12-5 decision.
After entering the season unranked, Ness has quickly catapulted himself into the top 10 in the nation and established himself as one of Minnesota's top wrestlers. Currently ranked No. 9 in the country, Ness now has a 13-2 overall record on the season, including 6-1 dual meets. His 22 team points is tied for fourth on the team.
Ness began the season with three straight pins on his way to a second-place finish at the Bison Open. His only loss came in the championship match to fifth-ranked Tanner Gardner of Stanford. A week later, Ness captured the 125-pound title at the Kaufman-Brand Open, defeating No. 6 Paul Donahoe of Nebraska along the way. After losing his first career dual meet start to No. 20 David Tomasette of Hofstra, Ness has since rattled off six straight victories.
This is the first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honor for Ness during his career. He is the third Gopher to earn the award this season, following Gabriel Dretsch (Nov. 22) and Roger Kish (Nov. 29).
Ness overcame an early deficit against OSU's Tyler Shinn to win 6-3 to give the Gophers an early lead against the Cowboys. On Friday at Iowa State, Ness scored five takedowns against Nick Fanthorpe to cruise to a 12-5 decision.
After entering the season unranked, Ness has quickly catapulted himself into the top 10 in the nation and established himself as one of Minnesota's top wrestlers. Currently ranked No. 9 in the country, Ness now has a 13-2 overall record on the season, including 6-1 dual meets. His 22 team points is tied for fourth on the team.
Ness began the season with three straight pins on his way to a second-place finish at the Bison Open. His only loss came in the championship match to fifth-ranked Tanner Gardner of Stanford. A week later, Ness captured the 125-pound title at the Kaufman-Brand Open, defeating No. 6 Paul Donahoe of Nebraska along the way. After losing his first career dual meet start to No. 20 David Tomasette of Hofstra, Ness has since rattled off six straight victories.
This is the first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honor for Ness during his career. He is the third Gopher to earn the award this season, following Gabriel Dretsch (Nov. 22) and Roger Kish (Nov. 29).
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