ASHLAND – For the first time in 11 years, Southern Oregon University has an NAIA Men's Wrestler of the Week in Aaron Gandara, the national office announced Wednesday.

Gandara, a junior from Somerton, Ariz., previously picked up the Cascade Conference award after winning three straight dual matches over the weekend for the Raiders. The All-American and two-time NAIA Championships qualifier prevailed by technical fall, fall and decision at 157 pounds in No. 16-ranked SOU's wins over Simpson (Calif.), No. 3 Menlo (Calif.) and No. 11 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.). Against Embry-Riddle, he came back in the third period to score a 4-1 victory over No. 9 Sheldon Cole.

Ranked No. 13 in the NAIA at 157,  Gandara missed the first two months of the season due to injury. Since returning for the Raiders' fifth-place finish at the NWCA National Dual Meet Championships, he has gone 6-2 with wins against four nationally-ranked individuals. He owns a career record of 61-21.

He and the Raiders are home again Thursday for their first-ever dual against Evergreen (Wash.). It begins at 7 p.m.