Swimmer of the Week
Ketlyn Rodriguez Matos, UNC Pembroke

A senior from Ponce in Puerto Rico, Ketlyn Rodriguez Matos of UNC Pembroke won a trio of events at the Lenoir-Rhyne Tri-Meet. 

Rodriguez Matos logged first-place finishes in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:08.07), 100-yard freestyle (54.87) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:31.59). Rodriguez Matos also swam a leg on the 400-yard medley relay team that placed first as well with a time of 4:03.87.

2023-24 Conference Carolinas Women’s Swimming Weekly Awards 

Week 9 (Dec. 19, 2023)

Swimmer of the Week: Ketlyn Rodriguez Matos, UNC Pembroke

Learn more about all weekly/monthly award winners in Conference Carolinas here.

Wrestler of the Week
Gabe Hixenbaugh, Montevallo

A fifth-year student-athlete from Alabaster, Alabama, Gabe Hixenbaugh of Montevallo beat three top-five opponents on his way to victory at 133 pounds at the Midwest Classic. 

Hixenbaugh blew through the first two opponents at the Midwest Classic, winning the first round in a 13-0 major decision and the second with an 18-2 tech fall. The third-round quarterfinal was where Hixenbaugh beat current No. 1 and defending national champ, Gavin Quiocho of Glenville State, in a 4-2 decision. The semifinal was another win by decision, 11-4, over the sixth-ranked wrestler in Division II in Elijah Lusk of Lander. The final was a win against the second-ranked wrestler, Quentrevion Campbell of Chadron State, by decision, 9-2.

Hixenbaugh garnered 23.5 points for Montevallo at the prestigious event. Currently ranked No. 7 by OpenMat and No. 10 by NWCA, Hixenbaugh was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Midwest Classic. He is now 17-0 overall on the season.

2023-24 Conference Carolinas Men’s Wrestling Weekly Awards

Week 6 (Dec. 19, 2023)

Wrestler of the Week: Gabe Hixenbaugh, Montevallo

Learn more about all weekly/monthly award winners in Conference Carolinas here.