Mario Gonzalez (Aurora, Ill./University of Illinois) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Feb. 7-13.

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.

Gonzalez bumped up a weight class and delivered a big win at heavyweight to push second-seeded Illinois past top-seeded Cornell 19-16 at the NWCA/Cliff Keen Division I National Duals regional on Sunday in Ithaca, N.Y.

Gonzalez, a sophomore who is ranked No. 13 at 197 pounds, moved up to take on Cornell heavyweight Maciej Jochym. The undersized, but quicker Gonzalez led wire-to-wire, earning an 8-2 victory that gave his team the regional championship.

Illinois now advances to the National Duals finals on Sunday at Oklahoma State’s Gallagher-Iba Arena.

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