Pioneer wrestling announces team captains
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team has announced its captains for the 2016-17 season. The three captains were selected by recommendations from their Pioneer wrestling teammates based on how they exemplify the Pioneer Wrestling team member agreements. The three captains nominated by their team include Jon Goetz, Grant Wedepohl, and Scottie Arneson.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team has announced its captains for the 2016-17 season. The three captains were selected by recommendations from their Pioneer wrestling teammates based on how they exemplify the Pioneer Wrestling team member agreements. The three captains nominated by their team include Jon Goetz, Grant Wedepohl, and Scottie Arneson.
Head Coach Mike DeRoehn stated “We have strong leadership being shown by a variety of our student-athletes in our program on a regular basis in different ways, which is great to see. These three student-athletes were highly recommended by their peers. Each of them brings different leadership qualities to the team and all are academically focused. They set a strong example, on and off the mat, so I’m excited to watch them lead and encourage their teammates.”
Goetz, a sophomore from West Bend, Wisconsin, was an NCAA Division III qualifier at 174 pounds in 2016 despite an injury limited season. He also earned a championship at the Super 8 Invitational and finished as a runner-up at the NCAA Regional, qualifying for the national tournament. Goetz is an environmental engineering major, and earned Academic All-American Honors last season. He kicked off the 2016-17 season with a repeat championship performance at the Super 8 Invitational last weekend.
Wedepohl, a fellow sophomore from Reedsville, Wisconsin was also an NCAA qualifier at 184 pounds in 2016. He earned championships at the Super 8 Invitational, MSOE Invitational, and became the first NCAA West Regional champion for UW-Platteville last season. Wedepohl is studying engineering physics and earned Academic All-American honors to finish his 2016 season. He also earned his second Super 8 Invitational championship on Nov. 5, including a victory over a returning NCAA qualifier to start his season on a positive note.
Arneson returns for his sophomore season looking for a trip to the national tournament. He is from Merrill, Wisconsin and made a big impact for the Pioneers after a late season drop to 133 pounds last year. Arneson earned a championship at the WIAC tournament and was named Wrestler of the Meet. He finished one match shy of qualifying for the national tournament in 2016. Also a very strong student, Arneson is studying physical education in the department of Health and Human Performance.
The Pioneers next home contest will be against Loras College on Thursday Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. It marks the second annual “Headlocking Hunger” event. Pioneer student-athletes from all sports will compete to see which team can collect the most non-perishable food items for the Platteville Food Pantry.