Jeff Zastrow named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week

Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
11/08/2006

Jeff Zastrow (Whitewater, Wis./Warhawk WC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for the week of October 31 – November 6.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level. The announcement will be made each week on Wednesday.

Zastrow won a gold medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. at the World Sombo Championships, held in Antalya, Turkey, November 2.

He was the only U.S. champion at the event, and one of seven men’s medalists for the United States in the competition. The United States placed second in the team standings.

Zastrow opened the tournament with a 6-1 win over U.S. teammate Moises Hernandez. It was a rematch of the U.S. Sombo Nationals finals, won by Hernandez. In the semifinals, Zastrow fell behind Jose Rodenas of Spain, 4-0, then scored a stunning submission hold to win the match. In the gold medal, he scored a submission victory over Ivan Nemeth of Hungary early in the bout to win the World title.

He competed at the World Beach Championships on November 4, dropping his opening bout in the Over 187 pound division. Zastrow also participated in the Traditional Wrestling Festival on November 5, competing in a match against an opponent from Turkey in a form of Turkish wrestling contested outside on the grass.

Zastrow serves as an assistant wrestling coach at UW-Whitewater, where he was also a student-athlete. He placed eighth at the 2006 U.S. Nationals in Greco-Roman. He was second at the 2006 U.S. Sombo Nationals, and was fourth at the 2006 U.S. Beach World Team Trials.

Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete´s name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org