Churella named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week

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John Fuller (TheMat.com)
12/08/2004


Ryan Churella (Northville, Mich./Michigan) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for the week of November 30-December 6.    Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level. The announcement will be made each week on Wednesday.    Churella, a junior 165-pounder at Michigan, went 6-0 at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational this past weekend. In the tournament, Churella defeated two NCAA All-Americans and one other NCAA Championships qualifier. He recorded a pin in his first bout and outscored his other five opponents by an average score of 10-1.    He also helped lead Michigan to the tournament's team title.    In the finals, Churella downed 2004 All-American Nate Yetzer of Edinboro 7-1. In the semifinals, Churella defeated 2003 All-American Tyron Woodley of Missouri 3-1 and in the quarterfinals, he defeated 2004 NCAA Championships qualifier Justin Nestor of Pittsburgh 9-0.    Churella was a 2004 NCAA All-American, placing third in the country at 149 lbs. after winning the Big Ten title. He also qualified for the 2003 NCAA Tournament after placing third in the Big Ten.    He moved up two weight classes this season and has posted a record of 10-1, losing only to defending NCAA champion Troy Letters of Lehigh.    For his career at Michigan, Churella boasts a 56-14 record.    Churella is currently enrolled in the Division of Kinesiology at Michigan. His father Mark was a three-time NCAA champion for the Wolverines, his older brother Mark was a letter winner at Michigan and his younger brother Josh is currently a freshman on the Michigan wrestling team.    Click here to view previous Athletes of the Week