Pioneers open season with 18-16 victory at Cornell dual

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team opened up the 2019-20 season Friday night with a thrilling 18-16 victory over the Rams of Cornell College in the Meredith Wrestling Complex.

Sophomore Isaac Wiegel opened the first bout of the season with a win by pinfall (3:53) over Daniel Joey Shaw at 125-pounds to give the Pioneers an early 6-0 lead. Sophomoe Caleb Radtke followed Wiegel up at 133-pounds with a 4-1 decision, extending the Pioneers' lead to 9-0.  Jake Wulf (141-pounds) and Klayton Keller (149-pounds) took the next two decisions drawing Cornell within three points of UW-Platteville.  The Pioneers and Rams exchanged decisions the next three bouts with sophomore Alexander Strueder claiming a 4-1 decision at 157-pounds and sophomore Peter Driscoll securing an 8-3 decision at 174-pounds.

The Pioneers led 15-9 going into the 184-pounds match, and an 18-5 major decision in favor of Cornell's Bryce Overson drew the Rams closer, 15-13. Kendale McCoy won by decision, 6-2 at 197-pounds giving Cornell a 16-15 lead going into the final match of the evening.

Fortunately for UW-Platteville, sophomore and returning NCAA qualifier, Lucius Rinehart was on deck for the Pioneers and Rinehart won by a 6-0 decision at 285-pounds to clinch the final bout and the dual.

The Pioneers will return to action and home in Williams Fieldhouse next Saturday, Nov. 9 in the 2019 edition of the UW-Platteville Super 8 Invite.