2002-03 College News - Lewis named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

Lewis named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week

January 8, 2003

University of Minnesota senior wrestler Ryan Lewis (Vernal, Utah/Uintah HS) has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, following his outstanding performances last week against Oklahoma State and at the Sun Devil Duals.

Lewis posted his biggest win of the season last Friday night against then-top-ranked 133-pounder Johnny Thompson of No. 1 Oklahoma State. Lewis defeated Thompson in a 6-5 thriller, getting revenge for Thompson's controversial 5-4 win over Lewis in the 2002 NCAA Championship title bout. Lewis scored the early takedown and led 4-2 at the end of one period, but Thompson stormed back to tie the match at five midway through the final period. Lewis tallied an escape to take the lead and held on for his second win over Thompson in three meetings. Lewis, now ranked No. 1, kept the ball rolling on Sunday at the Sun Devil Duals, posting wins by fall in all three meets, including a 2:27 pin of No. 19 Mike Simpson of Arizona State. He is 12-1 this season, having won 12 straight matches since dropping the season-opener to Iowa's Cliff Moore.

This is Lewis' fifth Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honor of his career and second of the 2002-03 season (Dec. 12, 2002).