The Eastern Wrestling League Wrestler of the Week for the week ended December 23, 2007, is Travis Uncapher of Clarion University.  Uncapher is a true freshman, who wrestled in high school for Hempfield Area in western Pennsylvania.

  Travis had a solid senior year of high school, placing third in the 2007 PIAA AAA Tournament at 160 pounds, and completing that season for Hempfield with an excellent W/L record of 46-5.  After the high school season ended, Travis placed a credible sixth in the powerful 2007 National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Tournament.

 Uncapher then decided to enroll at Clarion University, to wrestle for head coach Teague Moore, and to pursue a major in social sciences.  The question, however, remained - could Uncapher make the transition from high school to Div I wrestling?  Travis did and made that big jump quickly.

  Coach Moore, in the process of building the Clarion wrestling program, needed help right away at 157, and Uncapher stepped in and is performing like a college veteran.  Through mid December Mr. Uncapher reeled off nine wins, including three at the powerful PSAC Tournament, where he finished in third place behind NCAA champion Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro and nationally ranked Matt Moley of Bloomsburg.  Two of Uncapher four early season losses were to highly ranked Cyler Sanderson of Iowa State (by 9-6) and to Drexel All-American Ryan Hluschak (5-3).

  On December 19th powerful Kent State came to town for a dual meet with the Golden Eagles.  Kent State won the meet 24-9, but Travis Uncapher grabbed his tenth win of the season, decisioning his opponent by a score of 8-2.  True frosh Uncapher has shown that he can win at the Div I level, currently is 10-4, and is looking forward to the remainder of the season - the dual meets, the EWL Championships, and beyond.

  Congratulations to Travis Uncapher, our EWL Wrestler of the Week.