Gentry named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week
1/5/2005
John Fuller/TheMat.com
Matt Gentry (Grants Pass, Ore./Stanford) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for the week of December 28-January 3.
Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.
Gentry extended the nation’s longest winning streak by a Division I wrestler to 59 wins after capturing the 157-pound title at the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill.
With the win, Gentry became the first Stanford wrestler to ever win the Midlands, adding to his already impressive college resume.
In the tournament, Gentry won six matches. In the quarterfinals, he defeated NCAA qualifier Jeremiah Jarvis of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club, 9-8. In the semifinals, Gentry downed Trent Paulson of Iowa State, also an NCAA qualifier last year, 5-1.
In the finals, Gentry matched up with 2003 NCAA finalist Alex Tirapelle of Illinois. With the score tied at 1-1 late in the match, Gentry was able to score a takedown and nearfall points to pull away with an 8-1 victory.
Gentry’s career record now stands at 125-21, a winning percentage of .857. His record for this season stands at 17-0. Last year, he became the first wrestler in Stanford history to win an NCAA title.
As a sophomore, Gentry was one match away from All-American status at the NCAA Tournament. He was named the Freshman Male Athlete of the Year in 2002.
Gentry is a Human Biology major.
Wrestling Gear
