After coming up big in a Top 10 showdown on Saturday afternoon, West Liberty University junior standout Cole Laya has been honored as the Mountain East Conference Wrestler of the Week.
The 2-time NCAA Division II All-American from Fairmont, W.Va. was recognized by the conference office on Monday following an impressive afternoon at Saturday’s Davis & Elkins Duals.
All eyes were glued to the mat in Elkins when Laya, ranked No. 7 nationally at 125 pounds, took on No. 3-ranked Nick Daggett of UNC Pembroke. Laya had dropped an overtime decision to Daggett a year ago but it was a different story Saturday as the Hilltopper veteran rolled to a dominating 11-4 decision.
Laya capped his afternoon with a rare first-period technical fall, sprinting out to a 16-0 lead against his Notre Dame (Ohio) opponent to give Coach Danny Irwin’s No. 7-ranked Black and Gold yet another bonus point win in the four-team round-robin format. West Liberty won 36 of the 41 bouts on the day.
Laya is the second WLU matman to earn MEC Wrestler of the Week honors during this abbreviated season. Sophomore 184-pounder Garrett Cook won the first Wrestler of the Week award on Jan. 12.
The Hilltoppers close out the regular season at home on Saturday with a dual match against Ohio County rival Wheeling.
