Bowling Green, KY – After competing in the UC women's wrestling team's first competition of the year, Ariana Pereira is named Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Week, announced by conference officials on Monday.

Pereira started the year strong, winning the 170-weight class at the Falcon Invite. She went 5-0 at the tournament with two falls, two tech falls and one decision. The sophomore even had two wins over ranked opponents en route to the title.

Her first match only lasted 2:08 before Pereira won via pin, after dominating her opponent the entire match. Next the Newark, CA native rattled off two 10-0 victories to get herself into the semifinals.

 Pereira who is unranked had to face off against #10 (155-weight class) Leilana Hernandez from Texas Wesleyan in the semifinal bout. But it proved to be all Pereira who picked up her second fall just under two minutes, at 1:57. The win propelled her into the finals to face #11 Darby Weidl from Ottawa. Pereira was once again in control the entire match, never trailing before she won via decision, 6-4.

This marks the first individual tournament of Pereira's career as well as her first career MSC Wrestler of the Week honor.

The Patriots will return to the mats later this week for the Life Open. It will take place in Marietta, GA on Saturday, November 12.

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