Edinboro University's Shawn Bunch

 The Eastern Wrestling League Wrestler of the Week for the week ended December 4, 2005, is Edinboro University senior, Shawn Bunch. From Leavenworth, Kansas, Bunch, is a three-time EWL champion and 2005 NCAA runner-up, who competes at 133 pounds. This past weekend (December 2-3), Mr. Bunch helped lead the fighting Scots to an excellent fourth-place finish at the 52-team Las Vegas Invitational Tournament.

Last year Bunch placed third at the Vegas Invite, dropping a close decision in overtime to NCAA champion Travis Lee of Cornell. This season, however, Bunch slicked through the event with six wins, raising his season record to 16-0. In the finals Bunch bested Matt Valenti, an All-American from the University of Pennsylvania, by a score of 5-3. Shawn scored two takedowns on cat-quick singles, plus one escape. Valenti managed three escapes.

Besides Mr. Bunch, two other EWL wrestlers won titles last weekend. Edinboro's Gregor Gillespie won the Vegas title at 149 pounds, racking up a total of 83 points in his six matches, while his opponents tallied only nine. Further, the University of Pittsburgh's Matt Kocher, who is redshirting this season, scored six victories in claiming the 157-pound title at the huge Penn State Open. Good job guys.

Congratulations to Shawn Bunch, our Eastern Wrestling League's Wrestler of the Week! Come out and support your favorite team this week - America needs wrestling.