Pioneers Build Upon Returning Strengths

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The 2019-20 UW-Platteville Pioneer wrestling team will be anchored by 2019 NCAA national qualifier Lucius Rinehart (Jr. Evansville, Wisconsin).  He returns after a successful 2018-19 season and is ranked among the nation's best at heavyweight after finishing runner up at the WIAC and NCAA Upper Midwest Regional championships last season.  D3wrestle.com has him tabbed #10 nationally while the National Wrestling Coaches Association puts him up a notch at #9.  Former high school teammate, Chase Katzenmeyer (Jr., Evansville, Wisconsin) also returns at 141 pounds after earning All-Region honors in 2019 at the always rugged NCAA Upper Midwest Regional.  He has been recognized as an honorable mention candidate in the D3wrestle.com preseason national rankings.

"I'm sincerely grateful to be coaching this year's Pioneer Wrestling team. These kids have got me fired up!" Coach Mike DeRoehn said.  "The atmosphere and positive energy in training has been fantastic, which is a credit to the kids, and makes the opportunity of being part of it really fun.  They've bought into trusting the process in pursuit of becoming the best they can be, academically and athletically.  We're going to keep working hard, working smart and working together, and we'll see how good we can get!" 

The Pioneers will kick off the new season on Nov. 1 at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.  The Pioneers will host the annual Super 8 Invitational on Nov. 9 with the first match scheduled for 10 a.m.  For complete schedule click here.

 The home schedule will be highlighted by two marque events, starting with "Headlocking Hunger" vs UW-Steven Point on Dec. 4.  "Headlocking Hunger" is a collaborative effort among the Pioneer Athletic Department to collect food items in support of the Platteville Food Pantry.  Everyone who brings two non-perishable items will receive free admission.   On Feb 7, UW Oshkosh and the Pioneers will "Throwdown in the Theater".  The Pioneers will host the Titans in their annual match in the UW-Platteville Center for the Arts building.  The matches will take place on a lighted stage, which creates a unique and exciting environment for Pioneer fans.