PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The SKWC saw its first individual award of the season, as No. 6 Yaraslau Slavikouski (HWT) earned Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors, announced Wednesday by the conference office. Slavikouski went 5-0 for Rutgers wrestling over the weekend with two ranked wins and a heavyweight title at the 2023 Black Knight Invitational.
Slavikouski is the first Scarlet Knight to earn Big Ten weekly laurels since Greg Bulsak two seasons ago in 2022. The graduate transfer shares this week’s honor with Penn State’s Beau Bartlett.
The Belarus native opened weekend action with a 4-1 decision over two-time NCAA qualifier and No. 18 Hunter Catka in RU’s dual against No. 8 Virginia Tech on Friday in Piscataway. Competing in his first match at Jersey Mike’s Arena, Slavikouski landed a takedown using an inside trip on Catka en route to the ranked win.
Slavikouski followed with a 4-0 performance at the Black Knight Invitational, which included a 5-2 decision over No. 23 Coty Day (Binghamton) to claim the individual heavyweight title. In his four matches during the tournament, Slavikouski outscored his opponents 50-6 with two takedowns, a fall, and a decision. Through his first few weeks at Rutgers, Slavikouski is a perfect 7-0.
No. 14 Rutgers is off this week and next competes on Friday, December 1 at Edinboro. The Scarlet Knights return to Jersey Mike’s Arena against Princeton on Friday, December 8.
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