Case Western Reserve University senior Art Martinez was named the University Athletic Association Athlete of the Week for the third time in the 2025-26 season, the conference announced on Monday.
Martinez went 6-0 over the last two weeks, including a win over the then top-ranked wrestler in Division III, to lead the 21st-ranked Spartans to six dual wins over the holiday break. On December 20 at the Chocolate Duals in Grantham, Pennsylvania, Martinez defeated opponents from Ithaca, Messiah, and Arcadia. He started the day with a 21-4 technical fall over George McAteer of Ithaca and followed with a 22-4 technical fall over Tyler Ratledge of Messiah. In the final match of the day, Martinez delivered a decisive 18-4 major decision over Jacob Blair of Arcadia who was ranked first in Division III at the time of the dual. It marked Martinez's first win over a nationally ranked opponent this season. CWRU won all three matches at the duals, defeating Ithaca 30-17, Messiah 23-20, and Arcadia 31-16. On January 3 at the UAA Challenge hosted by NYU, Martinez and the Spartans continued their winning streaks, defeating all three opponents at the annual event. Martinez earned bonus points in all three of his bouts, secured two technical falls and one pin at the event.
This season, he is 20-1, including a 13-0 mark against Division III opponents, with six pins and a team-leading eight technical falls. Martinez is ranked second nationally at 133 pounds by the NWCA. This is his third UAA Athlete of the Week honor this season and the eighth of his career. In four seasons, Martinez has a 124-33 record (.790) with 38 pins and 32 technical falls. His 124 wins rank fifth in program history.
CWRU improved to 8-2 in dual matches. The Spartans return home for the Claude Sharer Duals on Saturday hosting Manchester University and the University of Mount Union at the Veale Center.
The following CWRU Athletes have been named the UAA Athlete of the Week during the 2025-26 academic year:
Jan. 5: Art Martinez (Wrestling
Dec. 15: Matthew Ellis (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 8: Art Martinez (Wrestling)
Nov. 24: Art Martinez (Wrestling)
Nov. 3: Ryan Wells (Men's Diving)
Oct. 27: Ellie Palaian (Women's Soccer - Defense), Bradley Winter (Men's Soccer - Defense)
Oct. 13: Kalli Wall (Volleyball), Claire Kozma (Women's Swimming)
Sep. 22: Ellie Palaian (Women's Soccer - Defense), Jacob Slater (Men's Cross Country)
Sep. 8: Maggie Farra (Women's Soccer - Offense), Phillip Washington (Men's Soccer - Defense), Katie Wong (Women's Tennis)
Sep. 2: Jamie Goldfarb (Women's Soccer - Offense), Jacob Slater (Men's Cross Country)
