Athletics - Wrestling

MOUNT VERNON — Cornell’s Chris Heilman (Colorado Springs, Colo.) has been named the Iowa Conference’s Athlete and Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Feb. 24.

Heilman was voted the Dick Walker Outstanding Wrestler at the Iowa Conference Championships Feb. 21 in Waverly after claiming the 125-pound crown with a 9-5 win over third-ranked Clayton Rush of Coe in the finals. He also scored a 16-6 semifinal win over fifth-ranked Rob Struthers of Wartburg. Heilman became Cornell’s first IIAC wrestling champion since 1998, when Nick Dohrmann won the 126-pound title.

Heilman, a two-time All-American and ranked second nationally, earned his third consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III National Championships, held March 7-8 at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. He stands 34-3 on the year, winning 19 of his last 20 matches.

Heilman ranks fourth on Cornell’s all-time wins list with a 128-30 career record. He leads the Rams in wins (34), technical falls (8), major decisions (10), takedowns (83), first takedowns (30), 3-point near falls (35) and 2-point near falls (22).

This is Heilman’s fourth IIAC Wrestler of the Week honor this season, the most of any winter athlete in the conference. He has been named IIAC Athlete of the Week twice this season.

Cornell recorded a school-best fourth-place finish at the IIAC Championships and qualified five individuals to the national tournament. Joining Heilman at nationals are two-time qualifiers Pat McAuley (Austin, Texas/Lanier) at 157 and Nick Nothern (Salina, Kan./Salina South) at 133 and first-time qualifiers Kyle Kehrli (Winthrop/East Buchanan) at 174 and Josiah Payne (Paola, Kan./Paola) at 285.