BRISTOL, R.I.- Roger Williams University sophomore wrestler Kyle Rodgers (Danbury, Conn.) was named New England Wrestling Association Wrestler of the Week and RWU Male Athlete of the Week, Monday, after his outstanding performance last week.
Wrestling at 157, Rodgers posted a perfect 2-0 record in the Hawks’ two matches over the weekend. Against Rhode Island College, the 16th-ranked team in the nation, Rodgers met nationally-ranked Mike Martini (Cranston, R.I.) in the second-to-last bout of the match with the score 14-12 in favor of RWU. Rodgers’ two take downs in the first period and his 1:48 of riding time helped him take the 6-4 decision. The victory gave RWU a five-point advantage heading into the final match, leading to the eventual 20-12 Hawks’ win.
Earlier in the day Rodgers tallied six points with a win by fall over Nick Spencer (Raynham, Mass.) of the University of Southern Maine. His pin, coming at the 1:00 mark, gave the Hawks the 17-6 advantage and the momentum leading to a 41-6 victory.
The 2-0 record on the weekend helped move the Hawks into second place in the NEWA Division III poll and sixth in the All-New England Poll.
Rodgers and the Hawks return to action Wednesday when they host Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Bryant University in a 6 p.m. tri-match.