Joey Slaton (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/University of Iowa) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Dec. 4-10.

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.

Slaton, who was ranked 20th nationally at 133 pounds, knocked off No. 4 Nick Fanthorpe 6-5 to spark fourth-ranked Iowa to a 20-13 win over top-ranked Iowa State on Dec. 9 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.

Slaton scored a reversal with seven seconds left in the second period and then rode Fanthorpe for more than a minute in the third period to pick up a decisive riding-time point. Slaton handed Fanthorpe his first loss of the season.

Slaton, a sophomore transfer from Virginia Tech, is off to a 5-0 start this season. Slaton was one of four transfers from Virginia Tech to notch a victory for Iowa in the win over Iowa State. Transfers Dan LeClere (141), Brett Metcalf (149) and Jay Borschel (174) also picked up wins for the Hawkeyes.

Slaton was a two-time Iowa state high school champion for Cedar Rapids Kennedy. He placed second at Senior Nationals.

Slaton redshirted at Virginia Tech during the 2005-06 season before transferring to Iowa when Coach Tom Brands left Virginia Tech to take over the program at Iowa.

Slaton compiled an 18-4 record while competing unattached during the 2006-07 season after coming to Iowa.

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