LeBlanc, the top-ranked wrestler in the nation at 184 pounds, had one of his most impressive performances of the season last Friday versus Cal Poly, in which he wrestled up at 197 pounds. The three-time All-America honoree from Wyoming moved up to take on the 18th-ranked Ryan Smith of Cal Poly.
LeBlanc built an 11-0 advantage over Smith and kept up the pressure throughout the match, as he ended up winning with a 12-1 major decision. The next night, LeBlanc followed up his stellar performance by pinning Utah Valley's David Prieto in the first period (2:23).
The two victories give LeBlanc 20 for the season and the win over Smith was his sixth of the year over a ranked opponent. The WWC weekly honor is LeBlanc's second of the season and fifth of his career.
The Western Wrestling Conference, which is in its sixth year of competition, is comprised of seven schools including the Air Force Academy, North Dakota State, Northern Colorado, Northern Iowa, South Dakota State, Utah Valley and Wyoming.
Other Nominees:
Air Force: Cole VonOhlen, 149 pounds, Jr., (Jackson, Minn./Jackson Country Central HS)
North Dakota State: Steven Monk, 157 pounds, So., (Wausau, Wis./Wausau West HS)
Northern Colorado: Gabe Burak, 165 pounds, Sr., (Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado HS/Penn)
Northern Iowa: Joe Colon, 133 pounds, RSo., (Clear Lake, Iowa/Clear Lake HS)
Utah Valley: Colby Christensen, 125 pounds, RFr., (Vernal, Utah/Uintah HS)
2011-12 WWC Wrestlers of the Week
Nov. 9 - Cole VonOhlen (Air Force)
Nov. 15 - Shane Onufer (Wyoming)
Nov. 22 - Kasey Garnhart (Wyoming)/Steven Monk (North Dakota State)
Nov. 29 - Ryan Loder (Northern Iowa)
Dec. 6 - Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming)
Dec. 13 - Zach Zehner (Wyoming)
Dec. 20 - Shane Onufer (Wyoming)
Jan. 4 - Steven Monk (North Dakota State)
Jan. 10 - Pat Martinez (Wyoming)
Jan. 17 - Cole VonOhlen (Air Force)
Jan. 24 - Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming)
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