by staff–12 Feb ’19
Wyoming wrestling senior Branson Ashworth has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced on Monday afternoon.
The honor marks the second time this season that Ashworth has been recognized by the conference, with Northern Iowa’s Taylor Lujan and Oklahoma’s Dom Demas being the only other Big 12 grapplers to earn the honor multiple times this season. It also stands as the fourth conference weekly award for a Cowboy this season, tying Northern Iowa.
Ashworth went 2-0 on the weekend, helping the Cowboys to a pair of Big 12 wins. Against Utah Valley, Ashworth dominated No. 9 Demetrius Romero in a 6-1 match on the road, followed by a 16-0 technical fall over South Dakota State’s Kelby Hawkins in his Senior Day match in Laramie.
Now boasting a 29-3 overall record, Ashworth has won 15 bouts in a row heading into the final dual of the season next weekend. With Sunday’s tech, he reached 10 for his senior season. He has also picked up nine wins over ranked opponents this year.
Ashworth and the Cowboys will look to wrap up the dual schedule on a high note next Sunday as they head to Greeley, Colo., for a tussle with Big 12 rival Northern Colorado. The dual is set to start at 2 p.m. MT.
