BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University senior heavyweight Ricky Caruso has been selected as the Pilgrim Wrestling League (PWL) Wrestler of the Week.

A native of Waltham, Massachusetts, Caruso captured the heavyweight title at the Messiah Petrofes Invitational this past weekend as he posted a 4-0 record with a pair of pins during the two-day tournament.

Caruso pinned Michael Shannon of Wilkes in the tournament semifinals on and then earned a 6-2 decision over William Fletcher of Wilkes in the championship bout.  Earlier in the tournament, Caruso set a BSU program record for fastest fall by pinning Christian Lighten of Springfield in just seven seconds to advance to the semifinals. He also posted a 9-5 first round decision over Luke Weaver of host Messiah.

After missing all of the 2012-2013 campaign due to injury, Caruso has wrestled very well in his return to the mat.  In 17 matches this season, he is 15-2 (.882) with 30 takedowns and five pins   Caruso is tied for second in the PWL in wins and ranks sixth in both winning percentage and takedowns.  He is also tied for sixth in the league in pins.

Caruso was ranked fourth in his weight class in the most recent New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Individual Rankings.

In three seasons with the Bears, Caruso has amassed an overall record of 47-22 (.681) with eight pins.  He is 12-4 all-time at the Messiah tournament.

The 2013-2014 season continues for the BSU wrestling team on Wednesday night when the Bears entertain league foe Johnson & Wales University at six.