Minnesota's Ryan Lewis named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

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Kevin Kurtt (UM Sports Information)
12/05/2001


University of Minnesota junior wrestler Ryan Lewis has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, following his stunning performance last week versus No. 2 Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. It is the second-straight conference honor for a Golden Gopher grappler as junior Luke Becker earned the award last week.    Lewis, currently ranked third in the nation at 133 pounds, pinned top-ranked Johnny Thompson of OSU with nine seconds remaining in their match. Lewis was down by as many as five points, but posted a takedown and a reversal in the third period. A native of Vernal, Utah, he is now 13-0 overall and 2-0 in dual meets.     A transfer from Division II power North Dakota State where he was a D-II All-American, Lewis proved to be Minnesota's big-time backup during the 2000-01 season. Wrestling behind senior All-American Brett Lawrence, Lewis had an outstanding year, posting a 19-10 record, including a 4-3 mark in duals.