Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Sept. 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.

Marano won her ninth World medal after earning a silver medal at the World Championships on Sept. 23 in Baku, Azerbaijan. She dropped a 3-0, 3-0 finals decision to returning World champion Stanka Zlateva of Bulgaria in the final round at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

Marano's nine career World medals ties U.S. freestyle legend Bruce Baumgartner's U.S. record for most World medals.

Marano is a two-time World champion and also has won five World silver medals and two bronze medals. She reached the finals in Baku with a dramatic semifinal pin over 2004 Olympic silver medalist Guzel Manurova  of Russia.

Marano is now a perfect 9-for-9 in earning medals when she qualifies for the World Championships. She's won four more World medals than any other American woman in history. Tricia Saunders is next in line with five World medals.

Marano previously won World gold medals in 2000 and 2003, won World silver medals from 1996-99 and won World bronze medals in 2002 and 2006.

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