Andy Hrovat named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week
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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
05/31/2006
Andy Hrovat (Ann Arbor, Mich./New York AC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for the week of May 23-29.
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.
The fifth-seeded Hrovat capped a phenomenal and stunning day when he captured the U.S. World Team Trials freestyle title at 84 kg/185 pounds on May 28 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.
Hrovat registered arguably the biggest upset of the weekend when he caught and pinned top seed Mo Lawal of the Gator Wrestling Club in the first period of the semifinals. Lawal made the 2005 World Team and had knocked off the reigning World champion just over two months ago.
Hrovat then downed his training partner and good friend Clint Wattenberg of the New York Athletic Club in the finals to earn a trip to September's World Championships in Guangzhou, China.
Hrovat overcame an early deficit in the quarterfinal round at the World Team Trials before pinning No. 4 seed Travis Pascoe of the Sunkist Kids.
Hrovat, 26, who placed fifth at the U.S. Nationals last month in Las Vegas, has been wrestling well this season. He was second in the Poland Open and also won the NYAC Holiday Championships and the Sunkist Kids International Open.
He was a two-time All-American at Michigan, placing fourth at the NCAA tournament in 2001 and seventh in 2002.
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 Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org