INDIANAPOLIS – The lid was lifted on a new season as Kentucky Wesleyan staked claim to the first selection of Great Midwest Athletic Conference Wrestling Athlete of the Week that was announced on Monday morning.
 
The Panthers are serving as host for the Great Midwest Championship on Saturday, Jan. 23, in Jones Gymnasium, a format which includes individualized brackets for each weight class. Five schools are scheduled to be in attendance, including new associate member Ashland.
 
The all-day event will include up to (2) wrestlers per weight class vying for all-conference honors in the form of top-three placement in each respective bracket. Additionally, the first Elite 23 Award recipient will be honored for the sport and the coaches will vote on a Wrestler of the Meet.
 
A handful of wrestling programs are yet to make their season debut for 2020-21 with the start of the season delayed until January. Matches for conference composite schedule will be updated on the website when available.
 
Wrestler of the Week
Adam Bender
Kentucky Wesleyan
RS Sophomore
125 Pounds
Lexington, KY (Woodford County HS)
 
Bender sets the tone in a big way at the top of the lineup for head coach Rob McCabe and the Panthers’ young program. KWC had three different duals during the week against No. 5 ranked McKendree, Midway and Lincoln, all at home.
 
The redshirt sophomore delivered bonus points in two of his matches with a pin and a major decision while competing to a decision in his other result.
 
Bender gave the Panthers a 4-0 lead against Midway with an 11-2 major decision against Andrew Vogeler. He provided early momentum as his next three teammates came through with consecutive winning decisions.
 
KWC’s first dual victory of 2020-21 came against Lincoln (Ill.) as Bender again provided an early spark at 125. This time he recorded a 73-second pin against Jake Jozwiak and the Panthers would prevail, 24-21.
 
Bender was 11-12 last season in 2019-20 with a pair of pins and technical falls. This is his first conference career weekly honor.
 
This is the third season the Kentucky Wesleyan wrestling program has been in existence with the Great Midwest and the program's first conference weekly honor. While the majority of Great Midwest wrestling programs are part of Super Region 3 (Findlay, Lake Erie, Tiffin, Ashland, Ohio Valley), KWC is categorized in Super Region 4 geographically.

Next on the Panthers' schedule is a Wednesday date at regional opponent Ouachita Baptist in Memphis, Tenn.