STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford heavyweight Nathan Butler has been selected as the Pac-12 Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced today.
Butler knocked off fourth-ranked Tanner Hall of Arizona State on Sunday, sparking a 21-14 Cardinal win over the 14th-ranked Sun Devils. Tied 2-2, Butler was able to register a takedown with five seconds left in the second sudden victory period to knock off Hall. The redshirt junior moved to 18-7 overall and 6-3 in duals this season, propelling him back into the top 10 in the InterMat rankings (No. 9). Butler is now 3-1 all-time against Hall.
A native of Leavenworth, Kansas, Butler also picked up a win on Friday against Air Force's Kerry Powers, 3-1. Stanford defeated the Falcons 31-3. With the two wins, Stanford moved to 7-2 on the season and remains undefeated at 3-0 against Pac-12 teams.
Butler, who is being recognized for the first time in his career, is the second Cardinal Wrestler to be honored this season, joining true freshman Gabriel Townsell (Jan. 3).
Stanford wraps up Pac-12 competition on the road this week, traveling to Boise State on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Oregon State on Monday, Jan. 30. Monday's dual will be televised on Pac-12 Networks.
