Pioneers split second day of NWCA National Duals
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team split a pair of duals on the final day of competition at the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals Saturday afternoon. A rally victory early in the day set the Pioneers up against conference rival UW-Eau Claire in a battle for 13th place overall. The Blugolds pulled out a 19-17 win for UW-Platteville to finish the tournament 14 of 24 teams.
LOUISVILLE, KY. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team split a pair of duals on the final day of competition at the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals Saturday afternoon. A rally victory early in the day set the Pioneers up against conference rival UW-Eau Claire in a battle for 13th place overall. The Blugolds pulled out a 19-17 win for UW-Platteville to finish the tournament 14 of 24 teams.
Competing in the 13-16 place bracket, the Pioneers started the day with a morning match against Millikin University. The Big Blue jumped out to a 20-0 lead after the first five matches, but the Pioneers turned the tides in a big way in the second half of the dual. Junior Coy Ruess pinned Dejon Glaster (2:33) in the 165-pound bout in what would be the first of three straight pins for UW-Platteville. Senior Nathan Wynsma added another pin (1:43) to the weekend at 174 pounds and freshman Kasey Ross followed suit and his pin (2:16) in the 184-pound match drew UW-Platteville within two of Millikin.
Feeding off the sudden energy, sophomore Tyler Hannah's 15-0 tech fall victory gave the Pioneers their first lead of the dual, 23-20. Senior Brett Schoenherr secured the win with a 9-3 decision and the 26-20 victory placed the Pioneers against UW-Eau Claire in the final dual of the event.
In the battle between the WIAC rivals, freshman Trace Gephart's win by a 6-2 decision put the Pioneers on the scoreboard first. UW-Eau Claire answered back with a major decision in the 133-pound match, but freshman Kyler Neuberger responded with a 16-0 tech fall win to give UW-Platteville an 8-4 advantage.
The Blugolds went on a win streak, tallying five straight decisions to take a 19-8 lead with two matches remaining. Hannah won the 197-pound bout, but the win by 4-0 decision was not enough. UW-Eau Claire forfeited the final match knowing it had secured a 19-17 victory.
The Pioneers will return to action on Thursday, Jan. 12 when they travel to UW-Oshkosh for a conference dual at 7 p.m.