Bierschenk Collects Big Ten’s Weekly Award
February 3, 2009
Following a pair of big wins over the weekend, Minnesota
junior Gordon Bierschenk (Waynesville, Mo.) was named Big Ten Wrestler
of the Week today. Bierschenk, who returned to the Minnesota wrestling
program this year after serving a two-year tour of duty in Iraq with
the U.S. Army, is the third Gopher to earn the weekly award this season.
The Gophers’ 197-pounder pinned Penn State’s J.R. Brown to vault the
Gophers to a 20-19 win over the Nittany Lions on Friday in State
College. His 5-2 decision victory was the catalyst for a Minnesota
comeback that resulted in an 18-16 upset win over No. 5 Ohio State on
Sunday. With the wins, Bierschenk improved his season record to 11-9,
including a perfect 3-0 mark in Big Ten duals.
Although he competes this year as a redshirt junior for the Gophers,
Bierschenk is on track to graduate with physiology degree this spring.
He will be honored for his career at Minnesota during the Gophers’
final dual meet against Indiana on Feb. 22 along with senior Tyler
Safratowich.
Bierschenk and the Gophers will put their perfect Big Ten record on the
line when they host No. 18 Michigan and No. 19 Northwestern this
weekend at the Sports Pavilion. Tickets for both duals are still
available and can be purchased by calling 1-800-U-GOPHER or by
contacting the Gopher Ticket Office at 612-624-8080.
