Cushman’s First Place Finish Highlights Pioneers Season Opener at Jim Fox Invite

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team opened its 2024-25 season on Saturday at the University of Dubuque's Jim Fox Invite. Senior David Cushman took first place at 157 pounds as he won four straight bouts featuring one pin, one major decision and two sudden victories.

The Pioneers scored 107.5 team points as Loras College captured first place with 161.5 points. UW-Platteville had nine place finishers and the team combined for nine pins, four tech falls, and two major decisions.

Cushman opened the day with a pin over Loras' Michelangelo Scalera (3:58) and advanced to the semifinal following a 5-2 decision in sudden victory one. After an 11-2 major decision to advance to the championship bout, Cushman battled and picked up a thrilling 9-6 decision over Brett Back of Dubuque in the first overtime.

Wrestling at 133 pounds and finishing third was Ethan Monson. The freshman suffered a 17-0 tech fall setback in the opening round, but rebounded and stacked a 16-1 tech fall victory of his own with a pin (2:22) in the third round. Monson advanced to the third place match following a medical forfeit and secured the third place finish with a 3-0 decision over Carter Anderson of Loras.

Freshman Kain Killmer finished third at 197 pounds and registered a 19-3 tech fall, a pin (2:05) and an 8-4 decision victory in the third place match.

Also finishing third was sophomore Jackson Kirsch at 285 pounds. After pinning his first opponent (1:59), Kirsh had to work his way back after falling in 2:54 in the semifinals. The Pioneer finished strong with a 7-0 decision followed by a pin in 0:19 in the third place bout.

Also placing for the Pioneers were sophomore Chris Karbash (4^th, 125), senior Cal Ries (5^th, 184), senior Wyatt Willey (6^th,149), freshman Grant Boddicker (8^th, 157), and senior Alex Ashauer (8^th, 285).

The Pioneers will return to action on November 9 at the Luther College Open in Decorah, Iowa.