Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Top-6 Sweep Weekend Earns Matthew Kolodzik Suburban Transit/Princeton Athlete Of The Week Honors
January 14, 2019 | Wrestling
Matthew Kolodzik defended his #1 ranking in style last weekend, earning wins over two of the six highest-ranked wrestlers in the nation during a wild pair of weekend dual matches at Jadwin. Besides solidifying his position as the top-ranked 149-pounder in the nation, he also earned the Suburban Transit/GoPrincetonTigers.com Athlete of the Week award.
Kolodzik (14-0) is a two-time All-American who knocked off the #2, #3, #4 and #6 wrestlers at the 2018 NCAA Championships to place third nationally. He showed that ability to knock off the best opponents again this past weekend, starting with a hard-fought 3-2 win Friday night over fifth-ranked Austin O'Connor of North Carolina. Kolodzik had the only takedown of the match in the first period, and he never let O'Connor get close to a takedown in the win, which helped Princeton upset the 15th-ranked Tar Heels in Jadwin Gym.
The next day, Kolodzik was even more dominant in an 8-3 win over sixth-ranked Kaden Gfeller of Oklahoma State. Kolodzik had a takedown in every period over the reigning Big 12 Wrestler of the Week to help him remain perfect and set up the potential 1 vs. 2 showdown Feb. 3 at Rutgers against Anthony Ashnault.
Following his win over Gfeller, Kolodzik shared some thoughts of the weekend on ESPN+.
Kolodzik (14-0) is a two-time All-American who knocked off the #2, #3, #4 and #6 wrestlers at the 2018 NCAA Championships to place third nationally. He showed that ability to knock off the best opponents again this past weekend, starting with a hard-fought 3-2 win Friday night over fifth-ranked Austin O'Connor of North Carolina. Kolodzik had the only takedown of the match in the first period, and he never let O'Connor get close to a takedown in the win, which helped Princeton upset the 15th-ranked Tar Heels in Jadwin Gym.
The next day, Kolodzik was even more dominant in an 8-3 win over sixth-ranked Kaden Gfeller of Oklahoma State. Kolodzik had a takedown in every period over the reigning Big 12 Wrestler of the Week to help him remain perfect and set up the potential 1 vs. 2 showdown Feb. 3 at Rutgers against Anthony Ashnault.
Following his win over Gfeller, Kolodzik shared some thoughts of the weekend on ESPN+.
Matthew Kolodzik shared some thoughts on ESPN+ during intermission. Watch the second half of the match live: https://t.co/NreofaGFED pic.twitter.com/NLUkEQu3Xz
— Princeton Wrestling (@tigerwrestling) January 12, 2019
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