d3wrestle.com/WWSport.com Wrestler of the Week: Justin Hanson

For the second week in a row, a Wartburg wrestler is the recipient of the d3wrestle.com/WWSport.com Wrestler of the Week.  This week, it is 165 lb. wrestler Justin Hanson.  Hanson was 5-0 this weekend on his way to the title at the Concordia Open in Mequon, Wisconsin.  To win the championship, Hanson had to knock off last year’s 4th place NCAA finisher Ben Youel of North Central 5-3 and last  year’s NCAA runner-up Ben Hoover 11-5 in consecutive matches.

Hanson, a senior from Dakota City, Iowa, placed seventh in last year’s NCAA tournament at 165 lbs. after a 2nd place finish in the Iowa Conference to defending champion Tyler Burkle of Coe.  Hanson got a late start on his season last year, not taking the mat until January 12th.  He brought an 8-2 record into the tournament and finished the year at 12-4 with All-American honors.  Last year was his first in the IIAC championship since placing 5th as a freshman at 157.  Wartburg next takes the mat at Loras on December 3rd.