KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Aaron Gandara of No. 16-ranked Southern Oregon University has been named the NAIA Men’s Wrestler of the Week. He was selected based on his performance from January 8-14 and was chosen out of a pool of conference/Continental Athletic Conference (Independents)/unaffiliated group nominees.
Gandara, a 157lbs junior from Somerton, Ariz., is ranked 13th individually and performed impressively for the Raiders, leading to an undefeated weekend. He earned a Tech Fall in his first bout against his (RV) Simpson University competitor. Then, he pinned his next opponent of No. 3-ranked Menlo College. Finally, Gandara highlighted the mat with a 4-1 upset of No. 9 Sheldon Cole from No.11-ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He helped Southern Oregon to three dual victories.
Gandara missed the first two months of the season due to injury. Since returning for the Raiders' fifth-place finish at the NWCA National Dual Meet Championships, he has gone 6-2 with wins against four nationally ranked individuals. The Raiders are back home on Thursday for their first-ever dual against The Evergreen State College.