Telford earns Wrestler of the Week honor

University of Iowa heavyweight wrestler Bobby Telford received an impressive honor Tuesday. Telford, who just completed his freshman year at Iowa, was named themat.com Wrestler of the Week for May 24-30.

Telford, a FILA Junior National champ, went 3-1 during the FILA Junior Freestyle World Cup last weekend in Plauen, Germany. He helped the United States finish sixth at the international competition, beating wrestlers from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Japan.

Telford, 19, a two-time prep Delaware state champ at St. Mark's High School in Hockessin, Dela., red-shirted last winter, going 22-4 ending the season with a 16-match win streak. He tallied 13 falls, winning six tournaments unattached including the UNI, Glen Brands, Grand View, Flash Flanagan and DuHawk Opens. Telford is expected to compete with Big Ten champion Blake Rasing for the starting heavyweight spot next season.

Below is the news release from USA Wrestling and Tipton native Craig Sesker, who has written a book about the life and career of wrestling great Bobby Douglas

Bobby Telford (Hockessin, Del./University of Iowa) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for May 24-30.

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.

Telford posted a 3-1 record for the U.S. during the FILA Junior Freestyle World Cup this past weekend in Plauen, Germany.

Telford opened with a 2-0, 3-0 win over Aslanishvili of Georgia at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. He followed by dropping a decision to Oezkaradeniz of Turkey. He came back to beat Magomedabirov of Azerbaijan 1-0, 2-0 and Oka of Japan 0-1, 1-0, 1-0.

The U.S. placed sixth in the dual-meet event.

Telford redshirted this past season at the University of Iowa. He posted a 22-4 record in open tournaments, winning his final 16 matches.

He was a two-time state high school champion.