EAST STROUDSBURG - Chris Birchler has been named the ABC Trophy, Inc. Athlete of the Week at East Stroudsburg University after qualifying for the NCAA Division I Championships with his performance at last weekend's EIWA Championships at the Palestra.

Birchler (Fairfield, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), a junior, placed third in the heavyweight division at EIWA's to punch his ticket to St. Louis for the NCAA's next weekend. He is the first ESU wrestler to qualify for nationals since Jeremy Sluyter went four straight years from 1997 through 2000.

Birchler will enter with a 24-5 record this season and 49-15 career record in his first two years at ESU. He went 3-1 at the EIWA Championships and posted a pair of two-point decisions, over Zach Hammond of Columbia and D.J. Russo of Rutgers, in his matches in the consolation semifinals and finals.

He was ranked No. 19 in the final ratings percentage index (RPI) of the regular season, which was released February 23. The complete field of 330 wrestlers, 33 in each weight class, will be announced by the NCAA later in the day on Wednesday.

ABC Trophy, Inc. awards an athlete of the week to an outstanding student-athlete each week at ESU. Each recipient is presented with a red and silver plaque.