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Jason Rhoten of Minnesota State and Ross Taplin of Nebraska-Omaha have been named the NCC Wrestlers of the Week.

Rhoten, a senior 157-pounder from Mantorville, Minn., compiled a 5-0 record last week and helped Minnesota State capture the NWCA National Duals with a thrilling 19-17 win over NCC rival Nebraska-Omaha in the tournament's final. Rhoten, the NCAA Division II top-ranked wrestler, defeated Western State's Neil Samples, 8-3, before the tournament. He then posted a technical fall over Bryan Irwin of Chadron State, 21-4 at 6:15. He then defeated Mazen Kholi of Pitt-Johnstown, 6-2, and Joe Ellenberger of Nebraska-Kearney, 4-3. In the tournament finals he tallied a 3-2 win over Henry Wahle of Nebraska-Omaha.

Taplin, a junior from Abilene, Kan., was unranked entering the week, but defeated two highly-ranked wrestlers in helping Nebraska-Omaha to a second-place finish at the NWCA National Duals. Taplin defeated Hudson Harrison of Mercyhurst, 2-0, before knocking off #2-ranked Tyler Tubbs of Minnesota State Moorhead, 15-10. In the third round he defeated Tommy Morrison of Central Oklahoma, 10-4, before defeating #3-ranked Tim Matheson of Minnesota State, 5-2.

Others nominated: Chris Schiewe, St. Cloud State.