Contact: Sam Fretto, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, sjfretto@noctrl.edu

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan. 20, 2026)- For the first time in his career, Joey Sikorsky has been named the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Wrestler of the Week after a 4-0 showing at the Al Hanke Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 20. Sikorsky's accolade marks the fourth time this season the North Central men's wrestling team has earned the conference's wrestler of the week award. 

Competing at the Al Hanke Invitational, Sikorsky earned North Central's lone weight class championship winning the 125-pound bracket. After beginning the tournament with a bye, Sikorsky picked up a 17-2 technical fall victory over Elmhurst's Juan Villa in the second championship round. Moving on to the quarterfinals, Sikorsky defeated Kaden Golden (Trine) in a 20-7 major decision and advanced to the semifinal round. Facing Esteban Delgado (Harper College), Sikorsky pinned his opponent in 4:43 to place himself in the championship match. In the first place match, Sikorsky defeated Carthage College's Chris Kish in an 11-3 major decision to capture first place. 

Sikorsky has a 13-11 record this season, with his first tournament championship coming in the Al Hanke Invitational. 

The Cardinals compete tonight in a CCIW dual against Millikin University for Senior Day. The seniors will be honored starting at 5:45 p.m., with the dual expected to start at 6 p.m.