Junior Jason Welch posted two bonus-point wins in the NU Duals Sunday in Evanston.Junior Jason Welch posted two bonus-point wins in the NU Duals Sunday in Evanston.

NU Announces Hilton Garden Inn Athletes of the Week

Dec. 14, 2011

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern junior Dannielle Diamant (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman) of the women's basketball team and junior Jason Welch (Walnut Creek, Calif./Las Lomas) of the wrestling team have been named NU's Hilton Garden Inn Athletes of the Week.

Diamant tied a career high with 20 points in Northwestern's win against local rival Loyola (Chicago) on Saturday. Diamant finished 9-of-10 at the free throw line -- including 5-of-6 in the final 44 seconds to ice the win -- and was NU's leading rebounder with seven boards. The junior is tied for second on the team with 14.1 points per game and tied for first with 10 blocks.

Welch helped Northwestern go 2-0 at the NU Duals by posting wins by pin and technical fall on Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The third-ranked 157-pounder began his day with a 15-0 tech fall that lasted only into the second period against Southern Illinois Edwardsville's Kyle Lowman and followed that up by pinning Bryce Givens of Indianapolis in the third period. Welch improved to 3-0 with the victories.

This week's Community Outreach Athlete of the Week is senior Allison Mocchi (Wheeling, Ill./Buffalo Grove) of the women's basketball team. Mocchi attended the inaugural Dance Fundraiser at Dewey Elementary in Evanston, encouraging the students to dance as well as participate in fundraising efforts.

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