Colon named WWC Wrestler of the Week

University of Northern Iowa 133-pounder Joe Colon was named Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week for the second week this season. Colon scored a major decision win over then top-ranked Devin Carter of Virginia Tech during the Iowa State Regional of the National Wrestling Coaches Association/Cliff Keen National Duals.

A Panther wrestler has been honored by the WWC the last three weeks. David Bonin (157) shared the honor with Air Force's Clayton Gable last week after Colon's first award.

Read the news release from UNI SID:

OREM, Utah -- University of Northern Iowa 133-pound redshirt sophomore Joe Colon (Clear Lake, Iowa/Clear Lake HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference Wrestler of the Week after an outstanding performance on the mat last weekend. The conference award was announced Tuesday by the league.

Colon toppled the nation's No. 1-ranked wrestler last weekend as the Panthers competed at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals Regional at Iowa State. Colon, who was ranked 11th at 133 pounds at the time of the bout, defeated Virginia Tech's Devin Carter with a 13-3 major decision in UNI's first round dual. The redshirt sophomore did not shy away from his aggressive wrestling style against the top-ranked Carter, landing a takedown and a three-point near fall in the first period.

In his next match, Colon pinned Wisconsin's Shane McQuade in 3:41 in a dual that featured a season-high four pins for the Panthers. With the fall, Colon remained undefeated in dual action at 10-0 and extended his win streak to 15 matches.

Over the span of those 15 victories, Colon has won by regular decision just once. The rest have been major decisions (5), technical falls (4) and pins (5).

The conference honor is Colon's second of the season.

The Western Wrestling Conference, which is in its sixth year of competition, is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

Other Nominees:

North Dakota State: Steven Monk, 157 pounds, So., (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West HS)

Northern Colorado: Justin Gonzales, 149 pounds, So., (Greeley, Colo./Northridge HS)

South Dakota State: Aaron Pickrel, 125 pounds, RJr., (Watertown, S.D./Watertown HS)

Utah Valley: Blake Mangum, 133 pounds, RFr., (Heber City, Utah/Oklahoma)

Wyoming: Shane Onufer, 165 pounds, Sr., (Auburn, Wash./Auburn HS)

2011-12 WWC Wrestlers of the Week

Nov. 9 - Cole VonOhlen (Air Force)

Nov. 15 - Shane Onufer (Wyoming)

Nov. 22 - Kasey Garnhart (Wyoming)/Steven Monk (North Dakota State)

Nov. 29 - Ryan Loder (Northern Iowa)

Dec. 6 - Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming)

Dec. 13 - Zach Zehner (Wyoming)

Dec. 20 - Shane Onufer (Wyoming)

Jan. 4 - Steven Monk (North Dakota State)

Jan. 10 - Pat Martinez (Wyoming)

Jan. 17 - Cole VonOhlen (Air Force)

Jan. 24 - Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming)

Jan. 31 - Joe Colon (Northern Iowa)

Feb. 7 - David Bonin (Northern Iowa)/Clayton Gable (Air Force)

Feb. 14 - Joe Colon (Northern Iowa)