BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin-Wallace College senior 165-pound wrestler Joe Heiland (Shelby) is this week's Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week. The award marks the fourth consecutive year that Heiland has earned this accolade.
Heiland earned the honor this week for his two dual match wins against OAC and Cleveland cross-town rival John Carroll University and against cross-town rival Case Western Reserve University. Against JCU, Heiland beat Jim Keough, 11-9. He also beat Mike Sanchez of CWRU, 2-1 in double overtime. Despite a preseason injury that required surgery, Heiland now 10-5 overall and 72-23 in his four-year career. He hopes to improve on both marks this Saturday when B-W travels to Wilmington College to participate in the 2005 OAC Tournament.
This year's OAC accolade is just one of a number in Heiland's Yellow Jacket career
As a freshman in 2000-2001, Heiland had a 1-1 record before an injury ended his season. He was granted another season of eligibility.
As a freshman in terms of athletic eligibility in 2001-2002, Heiland was named as the OAC Wrestler of the Week for his wins against Muskingum College and NCAA Division II Mercyhurst (Pa.) University. He was a starter at 165 pounds and battled with freshman Sterling Sebek (Columbus, Georgia) for mat time. He had a combined 11-4 mark between 157 and 165 pounds, including an outstanding 10-2 slate and an .833 winning percentage at 165 pounds. His .733 overall winning percentage topped the squad
As a sophomore in 2002-2003, Heiland was named as the OAC Wrestler of the Week for compiling a 5-0 record, including a 4-0 mark at the Division III National Duals and an OAC win against Wilmington College. At the 2003 OAC Championship Tournament, Heiland won the 165-pound title and earned a bid to the 2003 NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament. He complied a 32-7 record and an .821 winning percentage. At the Division III National Meet at Ohio Northern, Joe was injured in his match (sprained ankle). He was unable to continue.
As a junior in 2003-2004, Heiland earned OAC Wrestler of the Week honors for his efforts in going 5-1 at the Ohio Northern University Tournament. He compiled an 18-6 record but lost in the OAC Championship match at 165 pounds. His second place finished earn him All-OAC accolades for the second straight year.
In addition to wrestling and academically, Heiland is a solid student who was the recipient of the John Summa Memorial Wrestling Prize in 2003. He also is a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity on campus.
Heiland is the son of William and Amy Heiland of Shelby.
FOR MORE B-W SPORTS INFORMATION, please contact the B-W Sports Information Office by telephone at (440) 826-2327, by FAX at (440) 826-2329 or e-mail SID Kevin Ruple at kruple@bw.edu.
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