Dec. 8, 2008
- Iowa and the Big Ten Network
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
- 2008-09 UI wrestling media guide
- 2009 NCAA Championships ticket information
- Big Ten Network highlights
Hawkeye senior 141-pounder Alex Tsirtsis has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Dec. 2-8.
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.
The third-ranked Tsirtsis posted a 4-2 win over second-ranked Nick Gallick to lead No. 1 Iowa to a 20-15 win over No. 2 Iowa State before 15,955 fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was the largest dual meet crowd in NCAA history.
Tsirtsis’ win at 141 pounds provided a huge boost as the Hawkeyes won 6 of 10 matches over the Cyclones. Tsirtsis scored a reversal with one second left in the match to pull out the win.
Tsirtsis, a senior, is in his fourth year as a Hawkeye starter. He placed seventh in the 2006 NCAA Championships. He redshirted during the 2007-08 season before jumping back into the Iowa lineup this season.
The top-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) will face #22 Northern Iowa (0-0) Thursday at 7 p.m. in Cedar Falls. The dual will be held at the McLeod Center, and aired live on Iowa Public Television. Tim Johnson and Jim Gibbons and former Hawkeye wrestling coach Dan Gable will call the action for IPTV. Tickets ($10) are available at the McLeod Ticket Office at 319-273-4849, 877-216-3663 or www.unitix.uni.edu.