Jordan Burroughs (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Sept. 13-19

Burroughs capped a phenomenal tournament and a memorable 2011 by sweeping 2010 World silver medalist Sadegh Goudarzi of Iran 3-2, 4-1 to capture a gold medal at the World Championships on Sunday night at the Sinan Erdem Dome.

Burroughs, 23, competing in his first Senior World Championships, becomes the first U.S. World champion in freestyle since Bill Zadick in 2006. Burroughs competes at 74 kg/163 lbs.

The win by Burroughs also clinched third place for the U.S. in the team race. The U.S. made a quantum leap from last year where it finished 22nd.

Burroughs outlasted Ashraf Aliyev of Azerbaijan 0-1, 5-4, 3-0 in a wild semifinal match. Burroughs broke Aliyev in the third period of the semifinals, scoring three takedowns to put the match away.

Burroughs pulled out a dramatic win over two-time World champion Denis Tsargush of Russia 1-3, 1-0, 2-1 in the second round. Burroughs scored two third-period takedowns to start the period before pulling out the clutch victory.

Burroughs earns $50,000 from the Living the Dream Medal Fund for winning his World gold medal.

Burroughs, a native of Sicklerville, N.J., won his second NCAA title Nebraska in March. He won the Hodge Trophy as the college wrestler of the year and then jumped immediately into freestyle. He won back-to-back titles at the U.S. Open and the U.S. World Team Trials to earn a trip to Turkey.

Before the U.S. Open, Burroughs last competed in freestyle at the 2008 Junior World Championships where he placed 10th.

Making Burroughs’ run even more impressive was he suffered a major knee injury in December 2009 and was off the mat for the first half of 2010. He then returned for the 2010-11 college season, where he went undefeated and set the stage for his remarkable run in freestyle.

Burroughs becomes the first U.S. wrestler since Stephen Neal to win NCAA and World titles in the same year. Neal completed the double in 1999.

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.

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