Feb. 3, 2009
Wrestler of the Week:
Gordon Bierschenk, Minnesota
Jr. - Waynesville, Mo. - Waynesville HS
Rank: NR - Weight Class: 197
Gordon Bierschenk garners his first weekly laurel on the heels of two pivotal wins last week, aiding the tenth-ranked Minnesota wrestling team to a pair of triumphs against No. 16 Penn State and fifth-ranked Ohio State. In the Gophers’ 20-19 win over the Nittany Lions, Bierschenk posted his third pin of the season against J.R. Brown. Leading by an 8-3 score midway through the third period, Bierschenk turned what would have been a decision win into a pin with less than one minute remaining in the match to earn six critical team points for a 17-15 lead in the dual. On Sunday, Bierschenk defeated Ohio State’s Cody Gardner in a 5-2 decision. His win at 197 pounds was one of four consecutive wins in the final four matches of the dual, helping Minnesota edge the Buckeyes in an 18-16 victory while improving to a perfect 3-0 in conference matches, and 13-4 overall. With the wins, Bierschenk is now 3-0 in Big Ten duals. This is the first career weekly honor for the junior Gopher, who returned to the Minnesota wrestling program this season after serving two years with the U.S. Army on a tour of duty in Iraq.
Last Minnesota Wrestler of the Week: Joe Nord (Dec. 23, 2008)
|
|
 |
