Pioneers Begin 2011-12 Season at Loras College Open

To the start the 2011-12 season, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team participated in the Loras College Open. The one-day tournament was split into two divisions, a gold and a silver division. With no team scores being kept in either division, the tournament format was double elimination.

In the gold division, the top finisher for UW-Platteville was T.J. Wunnicke, who finished fifth. Wunnicke recorded two first period pins on the afternoon en route to a 3-1 overall record at 133 pounds. Also for the Pioneers, Brent Phillips at 149 and Shawn Flom at 165, each posted records of 2-2. At 174, Rick Goerke bounced back from a first round loss to win his next three matches before a loss in the consolation semifinals ended his day to finish the day with a 3-2 mark.

In the silver division, at 174, Austin Holland rattled off four-straight wins en route to a third-place finish. The third-place finish was the highest among the UW-Platteville roster. In the process, Holland posted a 16-4 major decision and a fall at the 2:30 mark in his consolation semifinal.

Plus, Quinn Sedklak was fifth at 184 despite losing in the first round. Sedlak came back with three first period pins in the process. Also posting a 3-2 mark was Tyler Henken at 141, who won three-straight matches in the consolation bracket after a first round loss. Three Pioneers - Emeric Williams (141), Robert Kerr (174) and Devin Johnson (HWT) all finished sixth.

Other notable finishes included Rob Maertz at 157, who posted a 3-2 mark and Tyler Ledbetter at 149 was 2-2.

The Pioneers will next return to the mat for the Concordia Duals on Saturday, Nov. 12. At the Concordia Duals, UW-Platteville will face Concordia University and the University of Chicago.