Aaron Stewart (IL) celebrates after winning the 165-pound title in 16U men's freestyle at the 2024 USMC Junior & 16U Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota.

Athlete of Week

Aaron Stewart named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare

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by Savannah Asmann, USA Wrestling

Aaron Stewart (Gurnee, Ill./Team Illinois) has been named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week, presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare, on July 24, 2024.

Stewart won title in both 16U men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman in the span of one week at the 2024 U.S. Marine Corps Junior & 16U Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, last week. The Gurnee, Illinois, native went 7-0 in freestyle action during the three-day tournament. Stewart was able to outscore his opponents 73-0, winning all seven matches by technical fall. He spent a total of six minutes and 52 seconds on the mat throughout the entirety of the freestyle competition, with his longest match lasting 1:57 seconds in the semifinals.

His finish atop the podium at 165 pounds helped propel a talented Illinois team to a second place finish in the 16U men’s freestyle category totaling 147 team points. Stewart was named the Outstanding Wrestler in the tournament, having one of the most dominant runs in Fargo history.

His momentum did not falter in the Greco-Roman division just two days later. Stewart entered the Greco-Roman tournament as one of few returning champions. Leading up to the finals, Stewart outscored his foes 37-5, refusing to give up a point until a tough battle in the semifinals. Three of his victories came by technical fall, with one fall and one decision completing his impressive journey.

In the finals, Stewart scored an 8-0 technical fall over Lucas Boe of Indiana. Boe was also a 16U freestyle champion, but moved up in weight from 157 pounds. With wins in both men’s freestyle and Greco-Roman in the 16U division within the same week, Stewart completed his quest for the prestigious USA Wrestling Triple Crown award. Back in March, he secured the first leg by winning his weight class at the Junior Folkstyle Nationals in Iowa.

On top of becoming a double champion, being named the Outstanding Wrestler in freestyle, and winning the Triple Crown award, Stewart has now won four 16U National titles in Fargo, the most possible for the age-group.

To nominate a wrestler for this honor please email the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments, and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.

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