Indiana and Nebraska Claim Weekly Wrestling Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced its wrestling weekly awards for competition taking place February 18-25, 2026.

Wrestler of the Week
Derek Gilcher, Indiana

174 pounds – Gr. – Novi, Mich. – Detroit Catholic Central

• Picked up a key victory in No. 21 Indiana's dual against rival Purdue on Friday in Bloomington
• Defeated No. 16 Brody Baumann by decision, 9-2, which proved to be instrumental in Indiana's comeback
• Prior to the bout between Gilcher and Baumann, Indiana trailed 13-8 in the team score
• Improved to 13-7 on the season
• Last Indiana Wrestler of the Week honoree: Jacob Bullock (Dec. 20, 2022)

Freshman of the Week
LJ Araujo, Nebraska

165 pounds – Bismarck, N.D. – Bismarck

• Pinned Zyon Trujillo of Utah Valley, securing a takedown, four-point nearfall, reversal and three-point near fall before pinning Trujillo in 4:45
• The six bout points added to Nebraska's 32-6 victory and its fourth consecutive win heading into postseason competition
• Marked his second pin of the season, improving to14-6 overall and 10-6 in dual competition
• Out of 16 duals, 14 of Araujo’s opponents were ranked and nine of them ranked inside the top 12
• Last Nebraska Freshman of the Week honoree: Christopher Minto (Jan. 30, 2025)

2025-26 Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Nov. 6
W: Koy Hopke, R-Fr., Minnesota
F: Koy Hopke, R-Fr., Minnesota

Nov. 13
W: Stoney Buell, Sr., Purdue
F: Isaiah Schaefer, Fr., Purdue

Nov. 20
W: Angelo Ferrari, R-Fr., Iowa
F: Ben Davino, R-Fr., Ohio State

Nov. 28
W: Massoma Endene, Gr., Iowa
F: Cameron Catrabone, R-Fr., Michigan

Dec. 4
W: Ryder Block, So., Iowa
F: Angelo Ferrari, R-Fr., Iowa

Dec. 11
W: Joey Blaze, Jr., Purdue
F: Eddie Enright, Fr., Northwestern

Dec. 18
W: Carson Kharchla, Gr., Ohio State
F: PJ Duke, Fr., Penn State

Dec. 23
W: Shayne Van Ness, Jr., Penn State
F: Marcus Blaze, Fr., Penn State

Jan. 8
W: Josh Barr, So., Penn State
F: Koy Hopke, R-Fr., Minnesota

Jan. 15
W: Zan Fugitt, R-So., Wisconsin
F: e'Than Birden, R-Fr., Ohio State

Jan. 22
W: Rocco Welsh, So., Penn State

F: Cole Mirasole, R-Fr., Penn State

Jan. 30

W: Nick Feldman, R-Jr., Ohio State

F: Marcus Blaze, Penn State

Feb. 5

W: Joseph Zargo, Sr., Wisconsin

F: Charlie Millard, Minnesota

Feb. 12

W: Nic Bouzakis, Jr., Ohio State

F: Ayden Smith, Rutgers

Feb. 19

W: Cole Mirasole, R-Fr., Penn State

F: Marcus Blaze, Penn State

Feb. 26

W: Derek Gilcher, Gr., Indiana

F: LJ Araujo, Nebraska