Cornell's Kyle Dake named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week

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Craig Sesker (USA Wrestling)
03/25/2013


Kyle Dake (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell University) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week.

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.

Dake became just the third wrestler to win four NCAA titles and the first to do it in four different weight classes at the NCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa.

The top-seeded Dake downed 2012 NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner David Taylor of Penn State 5-4 in the 165-pound finals in the last match of the tournament on Saturday.

Dake joins Iowa State’s Cael Sanderson and Oklahoma State’s Pat Smith as the only wrestlers to capture four NCAA titles in the event’s 83-year history.

Dake won NCAA titles at 141, 149, 157 and 165 pounds during his collegiate career.

A top international prospect, Dake placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling in 2012. Dake is a past U.S. Junior World Team member in Greco-Roman wrestling.

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