By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After winning the 285-pound bracket in convincing fashion at Sunday’s Bob Smith Open, senior wrestler A.J. Cooper has been named the latest MIAA Wrestler of the Week, announced Tuesday (Dec. 14) by the league office.
The Cimmaron, Kan. native finished a perfect 5-0 on the day, including three wins over Division II opponents and two wins against ranked wrestlers. He opened the day with a 4-2 decision against the fifth-ranked wrestler in NJCAA before defeating an NAIA wrestler 3-0 in the round of 16. Cooper then cruised past a Nebraska-Kearney heavyweight with a 7-0 decision to reach the semifinals, where he defeated a Central Oklahoma wrestler in sudden victory, 2-1. Cooper saved the best for last, pinning the sixth-ranked wrestler in Division II in 4:11 to take the title.
Cooper has accumulated a 19-4 record so far this season, including eight bonus-point wins and three pins. He has placed in all four tournaments in which he has competed.
This is Cooper’s third weekly conference honor in his career, including one such honor each of the last three seasons.
Cooper and the rest of the Tigers will wrap up the fall semester at the 42nd Midwest Classic, the largest DII wrestling tournament in the country, this weekend (Dec. 18-19) in Indianapolis.