SEWARD, Neb. – While wrestling in his home state, senior Jared Woods took the Oklahoma City Duals by storm. A perfect 4-0 run has allowed him to earn the title of GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the conference on Wednesday (Dec. 20). Woods is the first member of the Concordia wrestling team to collect the weekly honor during the 2017-18 season. The program has claimed 12 GPAC weekly awards since the start of the 2015-16 season.
Despite being unranked both on the conference and national levels, Woods went unbeaten in four matches on in Oklahoma City Sunday (Dec. 17). The highlight victory for the 157-pound Woods was a 4-3 decision over 11th-ranked Brandon Lawson-Archuleta of Bethany College. A native of Durant, Okla., Woods (11-8) also defeated Baker University’s Joseph Tallie and Lyon College’s Roger Gasmann. Woods helped the Bulldogs (3-3) to team victories over Bethany and Lyon.
The 11 victories on the season are a career high for Woods. Wednesday (Dec. 20) happened to be his birthday. Head coach Andrew Nicola’s squad will return to the mat after New Year’s with the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, Ind., Jan. 4-5.
Concordia GPAC wrestlers of the week (last three seasons)
2017-2018
Dec. 20 – Jared Woods
2016-2017
Feb. 15 – Foster Bunce
Jan. 25 – Ceron Francisco
Dec. 28 – Ken Burkhardt Jr.
Dec. 14 – Ken Burkhardt Jr.
Nov. 16 – Ceron Francisco
2015-2016
Feb. 16 – Jr Lule
Feb. 9 – Andrew Schulte
Feb. 2 – Ceron Francisco
Jan. 26 – Jr Lule
Jan. 12 – *Andrew Schulte
Jan. 5 – Andrew Schulte
*NAIA national wrestler of the week