Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) of the Northern Illinois University Wrestling team has been named the Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week following his first-place finish at the 2025 Midlands Championships.

West, a redshirt senior, battled against Tyler Chappell of Pitt, holding a late charge off for a 6-5 decision win. West claimed wins over Iowa State’s Christian Castillo, Franklin and Marshall’s James Garcia, and Indiana’s Ayden Bollinger.

The No. 2 seed in the tournament, he won all four of his matches by decision, including a sudden victory win over Castillo in the semifinals. In national polls, West holds three top-25 rankings as the Huskies prep for the NWCA National Duals.

This is West’s third career honor and the third time NIU has received this honor this season.

West and the NIU Wrestling team head to Cedar Falls, Iowa as they are set to compete in the 2026 NWCA National Duals, January 9-10. The Huskies open action at 2 p.m. on January 9 against Harvard.

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