Pothoof and Grindle Win by Fall as Pointers Stall Pioneers Comeback in WIAC Opener

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team (0-1) dropped its first conference dual 26-19 to UW-Stevens Point (2-0) at Berg Gym Tuesday night. 

Starting at 125 pounds, the Pointers jumped out to an early 11-0 lead winning the first two matches by technical fall and fall. 

Sophomore Alec Schmacht (4-2) halted UW-Stevens Point's surge during the 141-pound match. Schmacht led 3-0 after the first period and maintained control throughout, finishing with an 11-0 major decision and cutting the Pointers lead to 11-4.  

At 149, sophomore Kyler Neuberger (5-5) and regionally ranked Riese Thornberry brawled it out and went into the third period with Thornberry holding a slim 10-7 lead. Neuberger fought through to prevent the Pointers from adding another six, but after riding time, Thornberry finished with an 18-7 major decision. 

Trailing 15-4, regionally ranked junior David Cushman (5-2) pulled momentum back to the Pioneers and spent a majority of the 157-pound match on offense. Cushman brought the team score to 15-7 with a 2-0 decision. 

The Pointers answered with a technical fall victory by regionally ranked Josh Heuss at 165 pounds, but junior Ryan Pothoof (5-3) kept the match alive for the Pioneers, pinning Cody Weix (4:35) in the 174-pound match. 

Leading 20-13 with three weights remaining, the Pointers secured the dual with two decisions in the 184 and 197-pound matches. 

Senior Colton Grindle (2-2) had the last word of the night though, and jumped out to a 9-2 lead just halfway through the first period. Grindle pinned Ryan Dykes (2:55) to finalize the dual score 26-19. 

The Pioneers will take a break and return to action on Saturday, Jan. 13 when they head to the Cliff Keen-Mike Duroe Invite at Cornell College. 

UW-Platteville at UW-Stevens Point 

125 - Luca Paladino (UWSP) over Jack Sullivan (UWP) by tech fall, 20-5 (5:14)

133 - Blaze Thurber (UWSP) over Chris Karbash (UWP) by fall (4:43)

141 - Alec Schmacht (UWP) over Graeson Pankratz (UWSP) by major decision, 11-0

149 - Riese Thornberry (UWSP) over Kyler Neuberger (UWP) by major decision, 18-7

157 - David Cushman (UWP) over Sam Johnson (UWSP) by decision, 2-0

165 - Josh Heuss (UWSP) over Blake Delsman (UWP) by tech fall, 19-3 (6:03)

174 - Ryan Pothoof (UWP) over Cody Weix (UWSP) by fall (4:35)

184 - Trystan Altensey (UWSP) over Cal Ries (UWP) by decision, 7-0

197 - Logan Neitzel (UWSP) over Alex Ashauer (UWP) by decision, 12-5

285 - Colton Grindle (UWP) over Ryan Dykes (UWSP) by fall (2:55)

Team Scores: UWSP 26, UWP 19

Extra matches:

125 - Aidan Fonder (UWSP) over Eduardo Tostado (UWP) by tech fall, 16-2 (5:00)

165 - Dylan Cariveau (UWSP) over Cole Smith (UWP) by major decision, 13-2