Borschel, Loughlin earn league honors

The University of Iowa's Jay Borschel was named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, while Cornell College's Nick Loughlin were named the Iowa Conference Male Athlete of the Week, following their performances at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals last weekend at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.

Borschel, ranked first by W.I.N. and second by InterMat at 174, was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the NCAA Division I tournament, posting a 4-0 record against four ranked opponents. On the final day, Borschel scored major decisions over Minnesota's No. 13 Scott Glasser and No. 14 Duke Burk of Iowa State. Borschel, a four-time state champion for Linn-Mar High School, beat Glasser, 11-3, in the Hawks' semifinal win over the Gophers. He closed the tournament with a 10-2 win over Burk, as Iowa beat Iowa State, 19-12, in the championship match. Borschel improved to 17-0 this season, giving him 79 career victories for Iowa.

Borschel's biggest win came in his first match, beating Nebraska's third-ranked Stephen Dwyer, 10-7. He then went on to beat Boise State's No. 16 Nate Lee, 8-2. He is the second Hawkeye to receive the award. Top-ranked 149-pounder Brent Metcalf earned the honor Jan. 5.

Loughlin extended his winning streak to 16 matches, going 5-0 at 157, as the Rams placed seventh in the NCAA Division III field. Loughlin scored a pin, two major decisions and two decisions. Loughlin, who was also the IIAC Wrestler of the Week in December, improved to 22-2 this season.

Loughlin, ranked seventh, notched a huge 3-2 victory over Heidelberg's fourth-ranked Zach Mizer.