Jan. 2, 2008

BOSTON - After making a big statement at one of the nation's top tournaments, junior Mike Roberts (Albany, N.Y.) has been named the GoTerriers.com Student-Athlete of the Week. Roberts was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler amongst nearly 450 participants at the Southern Scuffle, upsetting two of the nation's best en route to the 149-pound title.

In the championship match, Roberts posted a 3-2 victory over previously undefeated and top-ranked Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota. Roberts, who opened his run with a 17-6 major decision against William Powell (App. St.) followed that up by pinning No. 3 Darrion Caldwell (N.C. State) in the closing seconds of their match on Saturday to advance to the round of 16.

He reached the quarterfinals with a 9-3 triumph over Matthew Fittery (Lock Haven) before qualifying for the semifinals by posting a 5-3 victory against Joey Metzler of Old Dominion. Sixth-seeded Kaylen Baxter (Old Dominion) was the only wrestler in the way of a spot in the championship match, but Roberts came out on top, 9-6.

In the title bout, Roberts earned a takedown against Schlatter in the opening minute of action. After cutting Schlatter free, Roberts continued to be aggressive but settled for the 2-1 lead after one. Each wrestler opened the next two periods (Roberts in the 2nd, Schlatter in the 3rd) with an escape and that would be the end of the scoring, as Roberts capped his unseeded run to the title.