NDSU's Steven Monk Named WWC Wrestler of the Week

The third-ranked 165-pounder went a perfect 4-0 last week en route to a Bison Open title. 

Nov. 12, 2013  OREM, Utah -- North Dakota State University 165-pound senior Steven Monk (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week after an outstanding performance on the mat last week. The conference award was announced Tuesday by the league. 

Monk, who is ranked third in the nation, remained unabated on the season with a perfect 4-0 day to win the 165-pound title at the Bison Open on Nov. 9. Monk won his first two matches by fall over Minnesota's Christopher Pfarr and the University of Mary's Brock Krumm, and then earned a 21-1 tech fall victory in the semifinals over Concordia-Moorhead's Jake Krogstad. In the final, Monk defeated No. 13 Daniel Zilverberg of Minnesota by a 4-2 decision to claim his second straight Bison Open title. 

Monk's first victory on Saturday gave him his 100th career win. He is the ninth wrestler in North Dakota State history to eclipse 100 victories and the second during NDSU's Division I era. His career record now stands at 103-22. 

The weekly honor is Monk's first of the season and fifth of his career.  

The Western Wrestling Conference, which is in its eighth year of competition, is comprised of six schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

Other Nominees:

Air Force: No. 10 Josh Martinez, 125 pounds, So., (Colorado Springs, Colo./Pine Creek HS)

Northern Colorado: Mitchell Polkowske, 157 pounds, Jr., (LaJara, Colo./Centauri HS)

South Dakota State: Alex Kocer, 149 pounds, RFr., (Wagner, S.D./Wagner HS)

Wyoming: No. 6 Tyler Cox, 125 pounds, Jr., (Gillette, Wyo./Campbell County HS)

2013-14 WWC Wrestlers of the Week

Nov. 5 - Benjamin Stroh (Wyoming)

Nov. 12 - Steven Monk (North Dakota State)