Pioneers suffer narrow defeat to No. 21 Titans

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team fell 22-25 in the final WIAC dual of the season vs. the No. 21 ranked UW Oshkosh Titans Saturday afternoon in the Kolf Sports Center.

The Titans escaped with a narrow victory after a strong start by the Pioneers, who won the first three bouts of the day with a commanding 15-0 lead. 

Dillon Gottschalk defeated Schoenfuss 10-5 at 125 pounds and was followed by a set of Pioneer pins.  Scott Arneson pinned UWO's McDowell (5:58) at 133 pounds before Chase Katzenmeyer extended the Pioneers' lead to 15-0 when he pinned UWO's Vandenberg (4:01) at 141 pounds.

The following three bouts went to UWO with a Titan pin at 149 pounds, technical pin fall at 157 pounds, and another pin at 165 pounds by the Titans No. 6 ranked Mark Choinski to set UW-Oshkosh ahead 17-15 going into the 174 pounds match up.

Devan VandenBush defeated UWO's Alabed by a 9-0 major decision at 174 pounds allowing the Pioneers to take the lead once again, 19-17.

UWO won in a narrow 1-0 decision at 184 pounds before taking the 197 pounds bout by major decision.

Lucius Rinehart was able to capture the victory at 285 pounds, but the 4-2 decision over UWO's Lemcke fell just short of a Pioneer win.

The Titans advance to 7-5, 3-2 WIAC while the Pioneers finish the year 4-5, 1-4 WIAC.  The Pioneers will travel to UW-Eau Claire Friday, Feb. 8 for the WIAC Championship tournament.