Posted: Feb 27, 2024
McKenzie Cook Named First Ever SLIAC Wrestler of the Year
ST. LOUIS, MO. – Eureka's McKenzie Cook (Homer, AK./Homer) has been named the SLIAC's first-ever Women's Wrestler of the Year.
The junior out of Homer, Alaska was selected by coaches as the SLIAC Women's Wrestler of the Year after winning the 143 pound weight class at the SLIAC Championship last week.
Cook was 2-0 with two pin falls at the championships. In the Semifinal, she pinned Schreiner's Maya Khabbaz in just 35 seconds. And, in the 1st Place Match, Cook pinned Westminster's Anna Stephens in 1:55. She walked away from the SLIAC Championships 22-9 overall this season, including 13 pin falls.
"McKenzie has had her best college season this year," Coach Biehl said. "It's no surprise she was the Wrestler of the Year. She had an off day at the toughest region but what she did all year is something to applaud. Earning 20+ wins individually is incredibly tough to do at this level. Both Trevor (who won Newcomer of the Year for the men) and McKenzie barely even had to be on the mat. They maybe wrestled a combined 4-5 minutes at the championships. That's how dominant they have been this year."