Nov. 25, 2008

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - Utah Valley University's 125-pounder Benjamin Kjar a sophomore from Centerville, Utah (Viewmont HS) has been named the Western Wrestling Conference's Wrestler of the Week as announced Tuesday by league officials.

Last week Kjar, who is ranked 20th nationally, went an impressive 8-0 as he won all three of his dual matches as well as being crowned the 125-pound champion at the Best of the West Open on Nov. 22. At the Best of the West, Kjar went 5-0 on the day and beat Oregon State's Jake Gonzales in the championship bout (3-1).

Kjar, started the week off by winning his match at the No. 13 nationally ranked Boise State Broncos via major decision as he defeated Alan Bartelli 12-3. The next night Kjar, as well as the Wolverines, went 2-0 against Portland State and Simon Fraser as he pinned PSU's Kevin Martinez at the 3:40 mark, and beat Simon Fraser's Aso Palani 5-2. On the season Kjar's record has now improved to 13-2 (3-1 duals).

Kjar last season as a freshman finished with an overall record of 39-9. Those 39 victories make him UVU's record holder in single-season victories.

The Western Wrestling Conference is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.

2008-09 WWC Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 11 - Andrew Anderson (UNI)
Nov. 18 - Shane Onufer (Wyoming)
Nov. 25 - Ben Kjar (Utah Valley)

Kjar's next action will come on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. as he will try to lead UVU (2-2) to victory against Western State on neutral territory in St. George, Utah. That weekend the Wolverines will also take part in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 5-6.