Pioneers fall to No. 6 Warhawks

WHITEWATER, WIS. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team (1-1 overall, 0-1 WIAC) fell 27-16 to No. 6 ranked UW-Whitewater (2-1 overall, 2-0 WIAC) Wednesday night in Russell Arena.

While the Pioneers suffer their first WIAC loss of the season, UW-Platteville rallied multiple times in the dual and only trailed by two entering the second to last match of the evening.

Following UW-Whitewater's early lead, junior Luke Pradel forced a 10-5 decision at 133 pounds to even the score 3-3.

A decision at 141 pounds and fall at 149 pounds in favor of the Warhawks forced the Pioneers to trail 12-3. Sophomore Alexander Strueder stepped up next at 157 pounds and pinned Devin Tortorice in 6:52 to narrow the Warhawks' lead to 12-9.

Sophomore Devan VandenBush followed Strueder at 165 pounds and won by a 6-4 decision in sudden victory for the Pioneers to tie the match 12-12 with four weight classes remaining. 

Jaritt Shinhoster of UW-Whitewater won by pin fall at 174 pounds, and the Warhawks reclaimed the lead 18-12.

Sophomore Jacob Sklenar followed up the Warhawks' lead reinstatement with a 16-2 major decision at 184 pounds and the Pioneers were once again within two, 18-16, of the Warhawks.

UW-Whitewater took the final two matches of the evening with a pin and 6-2 decision to secure the 27-16 victory over the Pioneers.

Full results: UW-Whitewater 27, UW-Platteville 16

125: Mike Tortorice (UWW) d. Isaac Wiegel by decision, 7-4

133: Luke Pradel (UWP) d. Josiah Lynden (UWW) by decision, 10-5

141: Hazen Rice (UWW) d. Chase Katzenmeyer (UWP) by decision, 6-0

149: Devin Tortorice (UWW) d. Garrett Ruckdashel (UWP) by fall, 6:25

157: Alexander Strueder (UWP) d. Dakarai Clay (UWW) by fall, 2:04

165: Devan VandenBush (UWP) d. Ryder Sigler (UWW) by decision, 6-4 (SV-1)

174: Jaritt Shinhoster (UWW) d. Peter Driscoll by fall, 1:10

184: Jacob Sklenar (UWP) d. Josh Nowak (UWW) by major decision, 16-2

197: Riley Kauzlaric (UWW) d. Max Schmitz (UWP) by fall, 6:03

285: Nick Sundberg (UWW) d. Cole Knier (UWP) by decision, 6-2

The Pioneers return to action and head to Minneapolis, Minnesota for the Augsburg Invite on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m.