University of Minnesota junior Gabriel Dretsch has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced today. A 174-pounder from Frazee, Minn., who entered the weekend ranked as high as seventh nationally, Dretsch defeated two ranked opponents on his way to the title at the Kaufman-Brand Open.

In the semifinals, Dretsch defeated fifth-ranked Brandon Mason of Oklahoma State, 4-1, and followed it up with a 3-1 overtime victory over No. 19 Brandon Browne of Nebraska in the championship match.

With a 4-0 record on the weekend, Dretsch remained undefeated on the season and has now claimed titles at the Bison Open and Kaufman-Brand Open to start the year.

Dretsch moved up from eighth to fifth in the latest WIN rankings, and remained in the No. 7 spot by Amateur Wrestling News.

This is the first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honor for Dretsch during his career.

The Golden Gophers open the dual meet season this Saturday by taking part in the Northeast Duals in Albany, N.Y.