Pioneers Take Part in Duhawk Open

At the Duhawk Open, hosted by Loras College, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team was led by the fourth-place finishes by Robert Kerr at 157 pounds and Austin Holland at 174 pounds. Also, the Pioneers got a pair of sixth-place finishes by Shawn Flom at 165 pounds, Quinn Sedlak at 174 pounds and Nick Martin at 197.

Both the Pioneers at 174 performed well on Saturday. Holland, who lost his first round match, rallied in the consolation round to finish fourth. Both of his defeats came at the hands of Benn Scott of Wartburg.

Sedlak started the afternoon with a pin. Then, he posted a 1-0 decision to reach the quarterfinals before dropping an 11-3 decision to send him to the consolation bracket. Then, he dropped his next two matches to come home with sixth-place honors.

Kerr, who bounced back from a first round loss, to win four of his next five matches. In the process, he recorded two wins by fall and started his climb back from the consolation with a 7-5 win over Griffin Weihe of Loras.

Flom, who after a first round loss, came back with a first period fall to start his efforts in the consolation round. He then posted back to-back victories by 5-3 and 3-1 before losing his fifth-place match by fall.

Martin started the day with an 11-6 win over Steve Kleamenakis of Wartburg to reach the semifinals before losing to Corey Becker from Coe, 10-3 in the semifinals. Then he dropped his next two matches and settled for sixth-place honors.

The Pioneers will return to Loras to face the Duhawks in a dual on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.