For the second consecutive week and an impressive fourth time this season, both winners of the weekly GPAC wrestling awards are athletes at Doane University.

 

Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Wrestlers of the Week

 

MEN
Devin Avedissian, Doane University – 141lb Weight Class

Doane University wrestler Devin Avedissian is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men's Wrestler-of-the-Week.  Avedissian, a junior from Temecula, California, went 3-0 in the GPAC Duals to help Doane win their second straight conference duals crown. His win over No. 19 Zach Zitek was his second over a ranked wrestler this season. He finished the year with a 6-1 record in conference matches.

After Tyson Beauperthuy and Cristelle Rodriguez became repeat winners last week, two first-time winners of this honor enter the fold this week.
On the men's side, junior Devin Avedissian earns his first weekly conference honor by winning all three of his matches at the GPAC Duals to help Doane claim the team title for the second year in a row. He's ranked No. 16 in his weight class in the NAIA, and his resume from the weekend includes an 11-4 victory over No. 19 Zach Zitek of Dakota Wesleyan.

 

WOMEN
Aspen Barber, Doane University – 160lb Weight Class

Doane University wrestler Aspen Barber is this week's GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women's Wrestler-of-the-Week.  Barber, a sophomore from Monument, Colorado, won the 160 bracket at the Midland Warrior Open with a 4-0 record. She started the day with a pin of Nevaeh Garcia (Grand View) in 4:05, followed by a 5-1 decision victory over NJCAA No. 8 Ashlea Larson (Snow). In the semifinals, Barber defeated Emmalee Spurgeon (Grand View) by an 8-3 decision. In the finals, Barber rallied from a 5-2 deficit after the first period to post an 8-7 win as she recorded a takedown with eight seconds left in the match to go in front for the win.

And on the women's side, sophomore Aspen Barber, an NAIA qualifier last year as a freshman, won all four of her matches to win the 160 pound bracket at Midland's Warrior Open. She's ranked No. 8 in her weight class in the NAIA and pieced together an impressive comeback to defeat No. 16 Corin Lowe of Oklahoma City in the Midland Open championship match.

 

The Doane women will compete in one final event this weekend in Baldwin City, Kansas before both squads compete in the GPAC Championships later this month.