Pioneers throw down Titans in Center for the Arts

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team defeated UW-Oshkosh 22-16 in the return of Throwdown in the Theatre in the Center for the Arts. Ranked No. 25 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, the Pioneers improve to 3-5, 1-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while the No. 15 ranked Titans fall to 12-2 overall and 3-2 in the WIAC. 

The Pioneers charged out to a 16-0 lead thanks to a technical fall, a pair of major decisions and a win by decision in the first four bouts. UW-Oshkosh got on the board after the 157 pounds match  as Nate Stokhaug pinned the Pioneer opponent, but back-to-back decisions put UW-Platteville ahead 22-9 with two bouts remaining. The Titans took the final two matches, but it was too late to overtake the lead. 

Senior Isaac Wiegel led things off for the Pioneers and got the team on the scoreboard after the 125 bout with a win by 7-4 decision. At 133, junior Zach Thompson was the first of two consecutive major decision wins (16-4) while junior Zach Licht also won by 16-4 major decision at 141. 

Junior Brock Parker used the energy in the room and beat the Titan at 149 pounds by technical fall (18-3, 5:00). 

Momentum shifted for two matches in favor of UW-Oshkosh, but senior Nick Dado added to the Pioneers' 16-9 lead with a win by 6-3 decision at 174 pounds. Freshman Tyler Hannah followed and beat his opponent by a 4-2 decision to give the Pioneers a 22-9 lead with two bouts to go. 

UW-Oshkosh won the final two matches, but UW-Platteville's lead was strong enough to secure the win. 

The Pioneers secured two more wins with two exhibition pairings prior to the dual. Senior Alexander Strueder won by major decision (9-0) while senior Jacob Sklenar won by 13-2 medical forfeit.

UW-Platteville will return to action next Saturday when they travel to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the WIAC Championship on February 12.