Austin Franco of Niles High School Wrestling is the WSJM Sports 
Berrien County Student Athlete of the Week for the weeks of Dec. 17, 24, and 31. Austin helped lift the Vikings to a first place finish at the Defiance Tri-State Border War. He won the individual championship at 120 lbs with a bye in the opening round, and pin in round two, a major decision in round three, a technical fall in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and a pin in the finals. Austin earned tournament’s MVP award for the weight classes 106 through 145.
Austin wrestles all year, and was a USA Wrestling Cadet Preseason National Runner-Up. He is also a member of the Student Council.
Austin is the son of Tony and Rayann Franco of Dowagiac.
Other finalists for the week were Riley Bettich of Lakeshore Wrestling, Anna Fischer of St. Joe Basketball, Morgan Wagner of Coloma Basketball, and Nick Boyd of Bridgman Basketball.
You can listen to Phil McDonald’s conversation with Austin below…
