CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Wyoming's Sam Wendland has been selected the Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week for his performance at the Wyoming Cowboy Open.

Wendland, a senior from Bozeman, Mont., took first place in the Elite Division at 197 pounds at the Cowboy Open last Saturday. He won four straight matches, outscoring his opponent 35-14. Wendland defeated Matt Methling from Cal State Fullerton (9-2), Matt Casperson from Boise State (8-4), Marcus Andy from University of Great Falls (7-2) and in the championship defeated Kelsey Empting from the University of Nebraska Kearney, 11-6. It was the third Cowboy Open title of Wendland's career.

The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley State and Wyoming.