Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Gary Abbott at gabbott@usawrestling.org

Joe Betterman (Chicago, Ill./USOEC/New York AC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for the week of Ocotber 18-24.

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.

Betterman wrestled his way into first place at the 21st Annual Sunkist Kids/Arizona State University International Open Oct. 20-22 in Tempe, Ariz. by defeating U.S. World Team member Lindsey Durlacher of the New York AC in the finals, 2-1, 6-2. The two wrestlers have met five times previously, with Durlacher finishing on top each time.

"I felt good," Betterman said. "I think that I broke him mentally after the first period. New York will be the real tournament. If I beat him there, that will show that I am better than him."

In his only other match, Betterman downed Duaine Martin of the U.S. Army, 7-0, 6-1 in the semifinals.

Betterman is a resident of the United States Olympic Education Center Greco-Roman Wrestling Program on the campus of Northern Michigan University, where he is a Criminal Justice major.