SPARTANBURG, S.C. – SIUE 125-pounder Freddie Rodriguez has been named the Southern Conference wrestler of the week for all competition from Feb. 8-14. The selection is made by the league office.

Rodriguez picked up a pair of major-decision road wins over SoCon opponents last week, including knocking off a ranked opponent.

In the Cougars’ 31-9 win at The Citadel on Thursday, Rodriguez downed Charles Kearney by a 15-5 score. Two days later, the senior from Lansing, Michigan, toppled Campbell’s Nathan Kraisser 13-2. Kraisser entered the match ranked 14th nationally by InterMat, 13th in the NCAA coaches’ panel rankings and 11th in the NCAA RPI.

With his wins, Rodriguez, the reigning SoCon champion at 125, moved back into the national rankings at No. 25 in the Trackwrestling poll. The weekly award is his second of the season and third of his career.

SIUE (4-11, 4-3 SoCon) resumes action Wednesday at No. 7 Missouri.

Also nominated: Colby Smith (Appalachian State), Aaron Walker (The Citadel), Hunter Gamble (Gardner-Webb) and Chris Debien (Chattanooga).

2016-17 SoCon Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 9 Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
Nov. 16 David Peters-Logue, Appalachian State
Nov. 23 Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE
Dec. 7 Nathan Kraisser, Campbell
Dec. 14 Jake McKiernan, SIUE
Dec. 21 Vito Pasone, Appalachian State
Jan. 4 Bryce Carr, Chattanooga
Jan. 11 Colby Smith, Appalachian State
Jan. 18 Jared Johnson, Chattanooga
Jan. 25 Austin Trott, Gardner-Webb
Feb. 1 Jere Heino, Campbell
Feb. 8 Denzel Dejournette, Appalachian State
Feb. 15 Freddie Rodriguez, SIUE

-www.SoConSports.com-