COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on Wednesday afternoon named Western Colorado's Cole Hernandez its Wrestler of the Week.

Hernandez, ranked third in the country at 174 pounds, swept both of his matches last week in the Mountaineers' 1-1 start to the season.

In 16th-ranked Western's season-opening loss to No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney, Hernandez posted a 17-4 major decision over the Lopers' Kaden Hart, the 10th-ranked wrestler in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's 174 pound listing.

Two days later in the Mountaineers' RMAC opener against visiting New Mexico Highlands, Hernandez dominated his Cowboy opponent, recording a second-period pin (4:24) while leading 10-1 in the match. Western rolled to a 47-3 win in the match.

Hernandez and the Mountaineers will participate on Saturday in the Nebraska-Kearney Younes Hospitality Open at the Buffalo Country Fairgrounds. Opening matches of the Open begin at 8 a.m. MT.