BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Bridgewater State College junior 174-pounder Zachary Bates (Leyden, MA) has been named the Pilgrim Wrestling League (PWL) Wrestler of the Week.

Bates, who is ranked fourth in the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) in the 174-pound weight class, was undefeated in three bouts for the Bears last week. 

Bates pinned number three ranked Colin Lenhardt of Johnson and Wales University and defeated number five Chris Nadeau of Roger Williams University, 8-5.  He also moved up a weight class to 184 and pinned Jesse Rayworth of the University of Southern Maine.

Bridgewater State dropped a tough 21-19 decision to Johnson and Wales in a midweek dual meet in Bridgewater.  The Bears then competed at the Roger Williams quad this past Saturday and picked up wins over AIC and Southern Maine while bowing to the host Hawks.   

Bates is currently 13-6 on the season with 26 takedowns, 16 escapes and four pins.  He is tied for the team lead in wins with 13 along with fellow captain John Marsh (New Bedford, MA), and is tied for third in takedowns along with classmate Ethan Raymond (Middlebury, VT).  Bates is also second on the team in pins and third in escapes.

The BSC wrestling team is 2-2 in dual meet competition on the season. In the latest NEWA Division III Coaches Poll, the Bears are tied for seventh along with Plymouth State University.