Pioneers storm Vikings in Throwdown in the Theatre
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team put on a show Friday night inside the Center for the Arts Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Throwdown in the Theatre. The special event featured a dominant performance by the Pioneers who pummeled the Augustana Vikings 36-13.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team put on a show Friday night inside the Center for the Arts Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Throwdown in the Theatre. The special event featured a dominant performance by the Pioneers who pummeled the Augustana Vikings 36-13.
The Pioneers claimed seven of the evening's 10 matches, including a stretch from 141-157 pounds where the team recorded its second pin of the night followed by back-to-back technical falls.
After the conclusion of the final dual of the season, the Pioneers finish 8-7 overall while the Vikings fall to 10-7 on the season.
Sophomore Nolan McKittrick got things rolling for the Pioneers at 125 pounds with a win by fall (2:47) over Sam Deyro.
The Vikings answered back in the 133 pounds match with a 13-4 major decision victory, but the two-point spread would be as close as the Vikings could get to the Pioneers all night.
Freshman Maddux Blakely followed McKittrick's lead and put the Pioneers back on the board securing the second pin of the night just 1:03 into the 141 pounds match, extending UW-Platteville's lead to 12-4.
Freshman Kyler Neuberger kept the ball rolling in the 149 pounds match, stacking three takedowns in the first. In the next period, Neuberger bookended a reversal with a pair of four-point nearfalls to call the match at 4:55 by 22-4 technical fall.
Freshman Aiden Brosinski closed out the first half with another technical fall (17-2 6:28). Brosinski jumped ahead with a takedown and four-point nearfall in the first and closed out the victory with a pair of takedowns in the third.
Trailing 22-3, the Vikings got back on the board in the opening match of the second half, recording their first pin.
Senior Nathan Wynsma, ranked #8 nationally at 174 pounds, made his final Throwdown appearance one to remember, registering the third technical fall of the night. The Pioneer shutout Vinny Querciagrossa 16-0 (4:20). In an exciting first period, Wynsma stacked a takedown, four-point nearfall and a pair of two-point nearfalls. A final four-point in the second secured the tech fall victory.
At 184 pounds, freshman Kasey Ross knocked off Augustana's Clay DeBaillie with a 5-4 victory including a pair of takedowns.
With the Pioneers leading 30-10, #8 nationally ranked Tyler Hannah ended up making the trip to the stage just in time for the Vikings to forfeit the 197 pounds match.
Senior Brett Schoenherr, ranked #11 nationally rounded out the night's wrestling with a thriller of a 285 match that had everyone in the theater on their feet. With Daniel Skold leading 2-0 with a minute left in the third, a reversal tied the match, but an escape gave the Viking the edge in the end.
The Pioneers also recognized their senior class during the night's event. The 2023 seniors included:
Montana Sarbacker (Manager)
Stanlee Rillie (Manager)
Off the mat and on the stage, a crew of acting wrestling coaches who are no strangers to UW-Platteville were backing the Pioneers. Acting head coach Chris Walter was joined by acting assistants Brent Allen and Les Hollingsworth and volunteer coaches Jake Carpenter and Cody Meyers.
Next up, the Pioneers move into postseason competition, starting with the WIAC Tournament next Friday and Saturday at UW-Stevens Point.
*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.
