Southern Oregon's Tommy Hooper named inaugural NAIA Wrestler of the Week

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Amanda C. Dahl (NAIA)
01/12/2011


Tommie Hooper of Southern Oregon has been named inaugural NAIA National Wrestler of the Week, the national office announced Wednesday. Hooper was selected based on his performances from Jan. 3 – 9.

Hooper went 5-0 at 157 pounds for the Raiders at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Currently ranked third nationally in his weight class, the junior scored bonus points in four of his bouts via pins, including a 2:32 stick of then-No. 6 Michael Hader of Great Falls (Mont.). Hooper registered a 7-5 decision over then-No. 4 Josh Ballard of McKendree (Ill.) in the fifth-place dual. Southern Oregon finished the event with a 2-2 record and placed sixth as a team after suffering a 25-13 loss to McKendree.

A native of Burns, Ore., Hooper is off to an 11-4 start in his junior campaign, with eight of his victories resulting in bonus points (seven pins, one major decision). Hooper has twice been named an All-America honorable mention.

The next Wrestler of the Week announcement will be on Jan. 19.

Nominees: Joshua Chappa, Cumberland (Tenn.); Chris Chionuma, Lindenwood (Mo.); Brad Cusatis, Hastings (Neb.); Derek Murdock, Cumberlands (Ky.); Drew Smith, Morningside (Iowa); Eric Gruis, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.); Tommy Prettty, Campbellsville (Ky.); Andrew Sanchez, McKendree (Ill.).