2001-02 Wrestling Season in Review

UW-Platteville wrestler Roy Forsyth has proven his success on the mat, but doesn't stop there. His success outside wrestling was recently recognized by the Division III Wrestling Coaches Association. Forsyth was named Academic All-America for his outstanding classroom achievements.

Forsyth is a junior from Arcadia, majoring in civil engineering at UWP. He finished the 2001-02 season with a 25-9 record in the 184 weight class and has a 59- 33 record overall. The Pioneer wrestlers finished 16th in the nation in the last Division III rankings.

Winners of this award must have a 3.2 GPA or above, finish at least fourth in the conference qualifier or at least sixth in the regional qualifier, finish with a winning percentage of at least 67% and compete in at least 2/3 of the team¹s matches. Winners must also have high moral character.

The UW-Platteville wrestling team was ranked 16th in the nation in the final NCAA Division III rankings.

Coach Chris Walter's club finished the dual meet season at 9-3, including 5-1 vs. Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams.

The Pioneers were runners-up in the WIAC championships and qualified three wrestlers for the NCAA III national tournament but the trio was suspended by the school for violating the athletic department code of conduct.

The Pioneers lose just one senior from this year's successful squad and have high hopes for the 2002-03 season.

1. Augsburg College (MN)
2. Wartburg College (IA)
3. University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
4. King's College (PA)
5. Upper Iowa University
6. Buena Vista University (IA)
7. Loras College (IA)
8. John Carroll University (OH)
9. Luther College (IA)
10. College of New Jersey
11. Ithaca College (NY)
12. Lycoming College (PA)
13. Western Maryland College
14. Montclair State (NJ)
15. University of Wisconsin - Platteville
16. Simpson College (IA)
17. State University of New York - Brockport
18. Ohio Northern University
19. Oswego State University of New York
20. Pacific University (OR)
21. Coe College (IA)
22. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
23. Delaware Valley College (PA)
24. University of  Chicago (IL)
25. Cortland State University of New York
26. Augustana College (IL)
27. Wesleyan University (CT)
28. Muskingum College (OH)
29. Johnson & Wales University (RI)

UW-Platteville wrestler Chris Vogel was voted one of the two wildcard spots alloted the WIAC for the NCAA III national championships March 1-2 in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Vogel joins Pioneer teammates Mark Meyers and Tony Austin as national qualifiers. However, due to a violation of the UWP athletic code of conduct, the trio did not compete at nationals.

Tony Austin

Mark Meyers

UW-Platteville won two weight classes and finished second in the team standings at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wrestling championships Sunday in River Falls.

UW-La Crosse, ranked third in the country, won the title with 147 points, while the 16th-ranked Pioneers were next with 117, followed by UW-Stevens Point at 110, UW-Eau Claire with 92, UW-Whitewater 83.5, UW-Oshkosh 73.5 and UW-River Falls 5.

Tony Austin and Mark Meyers won championships and qualified for the NCAA Division III national championships. The conference will award two "wild card" berths to wrestlers who did not win titles Sunday to compete in nationals, but that information was unavailable Sunday night. Chris Vogel, who was ranked third in the nation at 149 pounds with a 29-4, but lost a 3-2 championship decision to UW-La Crosse's troy Fabry would seemingly be in the running for a trip to nationals, as may Jim Hamilton, 27-7 at 174, and Devin kraege, 25-6 at 285.

Austin is the lone Pioneer senior, and the Platteville native and Belmont High School graduate took the 184 title by beating UW-Oshkosh's Nick Jasurda 8-3. Austin raised his season record to 19-5.

Meyers, a freshman from West Salem, defeated UW-La Crosse's Matt Zwaschka 9-3. Meyers was injured during the middle part of the season but came back strong and is now 18-2 on the year.

The Pioneers fared so well as a team because every wrestler won at least one match, and no one finished lower than fourth place for Coach Chris Walter.

Besides Vogel's runner-up finish at 149 pounds, Shane Gulden was also second. He advanced to the title match at 141 pounds. Both Kraege and Hamilton were third in their weight classes.

Placing fourth were Dan Coburn at 125, Brett Vogel at 133, Bill Bastian at 165 and Roy Forsyth at 197.

WIAC Tournament Page

UW-Platteville won the first four individual matches of the night, lifting the Pioneers to a 20-19 victory over host UW-Whitewater Friday.

The match started at 184 pounds, where Tony Austin picked up a 9-7 win over Nate Anderson. Roy Forsyth (197), Devin Kraege (285) and Dan Coburn (125), followed with wins, and the Pioneers led 13-0. Forsyth erned four team points with his 8-0 win over Cody Tonsor.

The Warhawks captured the next two weight classes, but Chris Vogel earned a four-point win with an 18-6 thrashing of Tony Wright at 149, and Mark Meyers returned after being sideline quite some time with an injury to beat Matt Sommerville 9-5 at 157. All of the Pioneer team points proved crucial, as the Warhawks won the final two matches with pins.

The Pioneers, ranked 16th in NCAA III, improved to 9-3 overall and 5-1 vs. the WIAC. The Warhawks dropped to 6-4.

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships are Sunday, Feb. 17, at UW-River Falls. Besides determining a team champion, the meet will decide 10 individual champions, plus two wild-card selections voted by the WIAC coaches, who will advance to the NCAA III championship March 1-2 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

The UW-Platteville wrestling team split a pair of weekend matches. The Pioneers, ranked 17th in the latest NCAA Division III poll, lost at #8 Loras 24-16 Friday night, then rebounded to beat Elmhurst College 36-13 Saturday afternoon in Williams Fieldhouse.

Coach Chris Walter's team is now 8-3 on the season with the final dual meet of the season set for Friday at UW-Whitewater.

Three Pioneers recorded pins against Elmhurst, with Devin Kraege (pictured left) winning in just 54 seconds at heavyweight, Roy Forsyth (197) in 2:34 and Chris Vogel (149) in 2:40. Lucas Kern earned a 6-5 win at 157, while Dan Corburn went overtime before prevailing 5-3 at 125. Both Cory Stenjen and Jim Hamilton won by forfeit.

Loras and UWP each won five individual matches Friday, but the Duhawks won three of theirs by pins to take the match. Coburn, Vogel, Mark Meyers, Hamilton and Forsyth posted victories for the Pioneers.

In addition, six Pioneers competed in the UW-Eau Claire Invitational Saturday. Both William Slayton and Peter Moe won three matches, with Slayton claiming the consolation title at 165. The complete Eau Claire results are listed on the Blugolds' web site.

UW-Platteville won half of the wrestling individual titles and cruised to the team title at the 20th Al Hanke Invitational at Elmhurst College Saturday.

The 15th-ranked Pioneers scored 145 points to out-distance second-place UW-Whitewater by 33 points in the 13-team standings.

Chris Vogel earned the Most Outstanding Wrestler after capturing the 149-pound championship. Jim Hamilton won the title at 174 pounds, while Tony Auston was the champion at 184, Roy Forsyth at 197 and Devin Kraege at 285.

Cory Stenjen earned an award for the most pins in the shortest time span. He recorded three pins in 6:47 on his way to fifth place at 133 pounds.

Other Pioneer place winners included Shane Gulden, third at 141; Chris McDaniel, fourth at 165; Galen Osby, fourth at 125; and Peter Moe, sixth at 174.

The Pioneers are back in action Friday at Loras College at 7 p.m. then have their final home match Saturday vs. Elmhurst at noon in Williams Fieldhouse.

UW-La Crosse, the nation's third-ranked NCAA III wrestling team, beat the 15th-ranked UW-Platteville Pioneers 33-10 Wednesday at Prairie du Chien High School.

The short-handed Pioneeers made the trip without four injured starters. The Pioneers won two of the 10 matches, with Chris Vogel beating troy Fabry 10-2 at 149 pounds and Roy Forsyth pinning Nick O'Bert in 2:43 at 197 pounds.

The Pioneers fell to 7-2 in dual meets this year. They return to action Saturday at the Elmhurst Invitational this weekend, then wrestling at Loras Friday, Feb. 1, before playing host to Elmhurst in the final home dual match on Feb. 2 at noon.

UW-Platteville's Chris Vogel was voted the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week.

Vogel, a junior from Mayville won the 149-pound weight class at the Cornell (Iowa) Invitational Friday and Saturday. He beat opponents from Wartburg (Iowa), Central (Iowa) and Coe (Iowa) before defeating St. John's (Minn.) Tim Anderson 5-3 in the finals. Vogel improved to 18-3 with the four victories.

He will lead the 15th-ranked Pioneers into Wednesday's match vs. #3 UW-La Crosse at Prairie du Chien High School.

UW-Platteville's Chris Vogel and Devin Kraege won individual titles at the 24th annual Cornell Matman Invitational Friday and Saturday in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Despite missing three starters, UW-Platteville placed fourth in the 10-team meet and just 1.5 points away from second place. Coe won the team title with 140.5 points, followed by Central at 102, Simpson 101, UWP 100.5, Wartburg 78, UW-Eau Claire 66.5, Cornell 53, St. John's 52, Dubuque 29.5 and St. Olaf 29.5.

Vogel, a junior from Mayville, defeated opponents from Wartburg, Central and Coe before defeating St. John's Tim Anderson 5-3 in the 149-pound finals. Vogel improved to 18-3 with the four victories.

Kraege, a freshman from D.C. Everest, won the 285-pound division with three victories, including a 12-3 win over St. John's Ryan Weinandt in the championship.

Three Pioneers took second in their respective weight classes. Jim Hamilton was runner-up at 174, Tony Austin at 184 and Shane Gulden at 141. In addition, Roy Forsyth was fourth at 197, and Lucas Kern was fourth at 149.

The 15th-ranked Pioneers have a showdown with third-ranked UW-La Crosse Wednesday at Prairie du Chien High School at 7 p.m.

The complete Cornell College results can be found at the Cornell athletics homepage.

The UW-Platteville wrestling team moved up to 15th in the latest NCAA Division III rankings.

The Pioneers are 7-1 in dual meets, with the lone loss to #11 Buena Vista. They are back in action Jan. 18-19 at the Cornell College Invitational, then face third-ranked UW-La Crosse Jan. 23 at Prairie du Chien High School.

1. Augsburg College (MN)
2. Wartburg College (IA)
3. University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
4. College of New Jersey
5. Loras College (IA)
6. Luther College (IA)
7. Upper Iowa University
8. Ohio Northern University
9. John Carroll University (OH)
10. King's College (PA)
11. Buena Vista University (IA)
12. Lycoming College (PA)
13. Delaware Valley College (PA)
14. Western Maryland College
15. University of Wisconsin - Platteville
16. Simpson College (IA)
17. Cortland State University of New York
18. Pacific University (OR)
19. Springfield College (MA) 
20. Oswego State University of New York
21. Ithaca College (NY) 
22. University of  Chicago (IL)
23. Coe College (IA)
24. York College (PA) 
25. Johnson & Wales University (RI)
26. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
27. Messiah College (PA) 
28. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
29. Montclair State (NJ)
30. Brockport State University of New York

UW-Platteville is ranked 17th in this week's wrestling coaches' poll.

The Pioneers are off to a 7-1 start, including 4-0 vs. Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference competition.

In addition, Jim Hamilton is ranked seventh nationally at 174 pounds.

UW-Platteville had its five-match wrestling winning streak snapped in the opening round, but the Pioneers responded with two victories at the Central College Duals Saturday in Pella, Iowa.

The Pioneers, ranked 18th in NCAA Division III, lost to ninth-ranked Buena Vista 28-9, but rebounded to beat Central 23-15 and Simpson 24-12.

Jim Hamilton, at 174, Tony Austin, at 184, and Roy Forsyth (197) won all three of their individual matches. Hamilton improved to 15-2 overall, while Austin upped his record to 10-1 and Forsyth 14-5.

Chris Vogel (149), Mark Meyers (157), and Devin Kraege (285) were each 2-1 on the day.

The Pioneers, 7-1 on the year, will be off of competition for finals and then the semester break. They are back in action Jan. 18-19 at the Cornell Invitational.

UW-Platteville won seven of the 10 weight classes, including the last four, as the 18th-ranked Pioneers beat 17th-ranked UW-Stevens Point 28-12 Thursday in Williams Fieldhouse.

The Pioneers improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 vs. Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams. The Pointers were wrestling in their initial dual match of the year.

Thursday's meet began at 157 pounds, and UW-Platteville's Mark Meyers whipped Craig Resch, 18-6. The freshman Meyers improved to 12-1.

Jim Hamilton, at 174, won 12-6, while Roy Forsyth won by forfeit at 197. Hamilton, eighth nationally, tied Meyers and Chris Vogel for the team lead with 12 wins.

After the Pointers came within 13-12 after the heavyweight match, the Pioneers ran the table, with three of the four matches by majority decisions. Dan Coburn, Mike Kelley, Shane Gulden and Chris Vogel all won their matches to clinch the victory for the Pioneers.

UW-Platteville faces more strong competition Saturday at the Central College Duals, facing Buena Vista, Central and Simpson.

UW-Platteville, ranked 18th in NCAA III, plays host to #17 UW-Stevens Point in a key WIAC wrestling clash Thursday at 7 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse.

The Pioneers are 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the WIAC, while the Pointers will be wrestling their first dual meet.

Eighteenth-ranked UW-Platteville won its fourth straight dual match with a 30-6 victory over UW-Oshkosh Thursday at Williams Fieldhouse.

Chris Vogel pinned Mike Sebesta in 4:03 at 149 pounds, and Chris McDaniel followed with a technical fall over Nick Montie in 4:33 at 157 for the largest Pioneer wins. Roy Forsyth won a 12-3 majority decision over Mike Farchione at 197, while Brett Vogel, Jim Hamilton and Tony Austin won by decisions over their Titan counterparts. Brett Vogel scored a takedown in the waning seconds for his 4-2 win.

The Pioneers improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 vs. WIAC teams. The Titans fell to 0-2, 0-1.

UW-Platteville is back in action Thursday at Williams Fieldhouse against the team ranked one spot ahead in the national poll: UW-Stevens Point. The action begins at 7 p.m.

The 18th-ranked UW-Platteville Pioneers routed a short-handed UW-River Falls wrestling team 52-3 Tuesday in the Pioneer Activity Center.

The Pioneers won five of the 10 matches by forfeit, then took four of the five contested matches.

Craig Jentz pinned Joel Esala in 2:17 at 141 pounds, and Peter Moe pinned Jesser Sterr in 2:25 at 165. Heavyweight Devin Kraege earned a technical fall over Nate Demulling in 5:57, while Tony Austin beat Neil Happel 17-6 at 184.

The Pioneers are now 3-0 in dual meets and 2-0 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. They return to action Thursday vs. UW-Oshkosh in Williams Fieldhouse, beginning at 7 p.m.

The UW-Platteville wrestling team has moved up to 18th in the NCAA Division III coaches poll.

The Pioneers, who began the season 29th, are 2-0 in dual meets and have had impressive showings in two non-scored open meets.

In addition, Chris Vogel (149 pounds) and Jim Hamilton (174) are both ranked eighth nationally in their respective weight classes.

Coach Chris Walter's club has a pair of home matches this week. The Pioneers face UW-River Falls Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Pioneer Activity Center (lower level) of Williams Fieldhouse. They wrestle UW-Oshkosh Thursday at 7 p.m. in the main gymnasium.

1. Augsburg College (MN)
2. Wartburg College (IA)
3. University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse
4. College of New Jersey
5. Upper Iowa University
6. Brockport State University of New York
7. Luther College (IA)
8. Buena Vista University (IA)
9. Ohio Northern University
10. John Carroll University (OH)
11. King's College (PA)
12. Lycoming College (PA)
13. Springfield College (MA)
14. Loras College (IA)
15. Delaware Valley College (PA)
16. Oswego State University of New York
17. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
18. University of Wisconsin - Platteville
19. University of  Chicago (IL) 
20. Cortland State University of New York
21. Western Maryland College
22. Ithaca College (NY) 
23. Montclair State (NJ)
24. Mount Union College (OH) 
25. Coe College (IA)
26. Johnson & Wales University (RI)
27. Saint John's University (MN) 
28. Oneonta State University of New York
29. Olivet College (MI)
30. Pacific University (OR)

UW-Platteville's Tony Austin earned the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference wrestler of the week award for his undefeated performance last week.

Austin, a senior from Belmont, won the 184-pound title at the Concordia Open Saturday. He beat Rory Heiring from UW-Parkside in the finals to win the tournament. The UW-Parkside wrestler had been ranked in Division II. Austin also moved up to 197 pounds and beat Eau Claire's Nick Campbell 12-3 Thursday in the Platteville's 37-6 win over the Blugolds.

Pictured, left-right, are the four champions at Concordia: Jim Hamilton, Tony Austin, Devin Kraege and Chris Vogel. (Thanks to assistant coach Dan Johnson for the picture.)

UW-Platteville captured four of the 10 individual wrestling championships at the 16-team Concordia Open Saturday in Mequon, Wis.

The Pioneers champions were Chris Vogel at 149, Jim Hamilton at 174, Tony Austin at 184 and Devin Kraege at 285. Austin beat a nationally ranked NCAA II wrestler from UW-Parkside in the finals.

UW-Parkside, ranked in Division II, Chicago, ranked 13th in NCAA III and UWP, ranked 29th in NCAA III, helped make the tournament a strong early-season test.

Four other Pioneers reached the semifinals in their respective weight classes. Mike Kelley at 133, Mark Meyers at 157 and Roy Forsyth 184 placed third, while Shane Gulden took fourth at 141.

The Pioneers, 2-0 in dual meets, return to action Tuesday, Nov. 27, vs. UW-River Falls in the Pioneer Activity Center in Williams Fieldhouse. The first match begins at 7 p.m.

UW-Platteville won eight of the 10 individual matches to rout visiting UW-Eau Claire 37-6 Thursday night in Williams Fieldhouse.

The match started with 133-pounders, and the Pioneers' Mike Kelley wasted no time, pinning Jesse Miller in 1:34. Roy Forsyth also pinned his Blugold counterpart at 184 pounds in 2:05. Shane Gulden (141) and Devin Kraege (285) won their matches by technical falls (a lead of 15 or more). Chris Vogel (149), Mark Meyers (165), Jim Hamilton (174) and Tony Austin (197) also posted victories for the Pioneers.

The 29th-ranked Pioneers improved to 2-0 in dual meets, while the Blugolds fell to 0-1. UWP is in action Saturday at the Concordia Open in Mequon, Wis., and then hosts UW-River Falls on Tuesday, Nov. 28 in the Pioneer Activity Center (lower level).

UW-Platteville will try and continue its impressive early-season wrestling performances when the Pioneers play host to UW-Eau Claire Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Pioneers, ranked 29th in NCAA Division III, whipped #22 Lawrence 29-9 in last week's opener. Coach Chris Walter's team had a strong showing in last week's non-scored Golden Eagle Open at UW-Stevens Point. In a meet filled with Division I teams like the University of Wisconsin and Northern Illinois and Division II schools Minnesota State-Mankato and St. Cloud State, the Pioneers had several standouts. Adam Anderson placed third at 141 pounds, finishing behind two Division I athletes. In the freshmen division, Mark Meyers remained unbeaten on the year, capturing the 157-pound weight class. Devin Kraege grabbed third place in the heavyweight division.

The battle between two of the nation's strongest NCAA Division III wrestling teams went all UW-Platteville's way, as the host Pioneers rocked Lawrence University 29-9 Thursday in Williams Fieldhouse.

The 29th-ranked Pioneers jumped out to a 13-0 lead after three matches, and the 22nd-ranked Vikings never recovered.

Shane Gulden started the night out with a 16-7 win at 141, and Chris Vogel recorded a takedown in the waning seconds to score a 7-5 victory at 149. Freshman Mark Meyers, in his first collegiate action, pinned his Viking opponent, giving the Pioneers the 13-0 lead.

After Lawrence's Greg Gioska nipped Pete Moe with an escape in the last seconds, UWP's Jim Hamilton roared back with a pin. Hamilton, ranked seventh nationally at 174 pounds, pinned Adam Nickel in 2:46.

The Vikings' Andy Kazik, ranked number one in the country at 184 pounds,was given all he could handle by the Pioneers' Roy Forsyth before winning 11-5.

The Pioneers' Derek Kraege scored a majority decision at 197, winning 11-1, and Dan Coburn and Mike Kelley finished the impressive night with three-point wins at 125 and 133, respectively.

Coach Chris Walter's Pioneers wrestle at the UW-Stevens Point Open Saturday, then host UW-Eau Claire next Thursday at 7 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse.

So much for gently ushering in a new season.

The UW-Platteville wrestling team faces a major test in its season and home opener Thursday when the Pioneers meet Lawrence University at 7 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse.

Both schools are ranked in the NCAA Division III preseason poll. The Vikings, who finished 10th in last year's national tournament, are 22nd, while the Pioneers are 29th.

One of the marquee matchups will come at 184 pounds, where Lawrence's Andy Kazik is the nation's top-ranked wrestler after compiling a 41-4 record last year. He will be challenged by either the Pioneers' Tony Austin, 22-10 last year and 60-34 in his career, or by Roy Forsyth, who redshirted last year but has a 34-24 career record.

Another nationally ranked wrestler is the Pioneers' Jim Hamilton, who is seventh at 174 pounds after going 24-8 last year.

Starting for fifth-year Coach Chris Walter are Dan Coburn (7-11 last year) at 125; Mike Kelley (18-7) at 133; Shane Gulden (16-6) at 141; Chris Vogel (0-0 last year/30-18 career) at 149; freshmen Mark Meyers and Pete Moe at 157 and 165, respectively; Hamilton (32-21 career) at 174; Austin or Forsyth at 184; and brothers Derek (24-12 career) and freshman Devin Kraege at 197 and 285, respectively.

The UW-Platteville wrestling team kicks off the season this Friday at 7 p.m. in Williams Fieldhouse with the annual wrestle-offs to determine team positions.

The Pioneers, under Coach Chris Walter, were a nationally ranked club last year and return most of the squad. In addition, several outstanding newcomers were added to the team, making the wrestle-offs extremely competitive and important this year.

The Pioneers open their regular season Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. against Lawrence University, a preseason top 10 team in most polls.

The UW-Platteville wrestling program added many outstanding recruits for the 2001-02 season, Coach Chris Walter announced today.

The incoming class numbers 18, the fourth-year coach said, adding many have the chance to see significant action this season. The Pioneers return 20 lettermen from last year's nationally-ranked team, and the newcomers should help make UWP a formidable team as it begins the 2001-02 campaign.

Among the new student-athletes are:

• Devin Kraege, D.C. Everest, who was the 2001 Wisconsin Division 1 state heavyweight champion. He also won the junior national champions in Greco-Roman style and placed seventh in the free-style competition. Kraege, the younger brother of Pioneer wrestler Derek, was 2-0 in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Classic;
• Mark Meyers, West Salem (Bangor High School), a two-time state champion and three-time state place-winner. He wrestled in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Classic and was 1-1;
• Justin Seippel, a SWAL champion and sectional qualifier, who is second all-time in wins at Lancaster;
• Nathaniel Lease, Fennimore, a sectional qualifier in 2001 and a state qualifier in 2000;
• John Brogley, Iowa-Grant, who placed sixth in the Division 3 tournament at 275;
• Chris McDaniel, Kaukauna, a state qualifier at 160, who led his team to second place in state in 2000 and to the semifinals in 2001. He also wrestled in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Classic and won both matches;
• Tim Jankowski, West Bend West, sixth at 145 in Division 1;
• Jim Albinger, Ozaukee, fifth at 275 in the Wisconsin Greco-Roman tournament;
• Peter Moe, Stoughton, a state qualifier at 171 who led the Vikings to runners-up in the 2001 team tournament;
• Cory Stenjem, Cambridge, sixth at 130 in the Division 3 championships;
• Adam Wendall, Merrill, a sectional qualifier;
• Brett Vogel, Jesup (Iowa) High School, a three-time state qualifier who finished sixth at 130 this year;
• Mike Gellings, Beaver Dam, a state qualifier in 2000;
• Joseph Keane, Sauk Village, Ill., a member of the Illinois Junior National Team;
• Isaac Canales, Columbus, a sectional qualifier in 1999;
• Jens Nestigen, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa;
• Mike Robinson, Elm Grove, Ill.; and
• Curt West, Grennfield;

Walter and the entire UW-Platteville community were saddened by the death of a potential wrestling star. Dean Rindy, a two-time state runner-up at Pecatonica-Argyle, drowned earlier this summer. The Pioneers will honor his memory, as well as John Schimming, Sr., an ardent supporter and father of 2001 standout John, Jr. The elder Schimming was killed in an accident in July.

The Pioneers begin the 2001-02 campaign Nov. 8 with a home match vs. Lawrence.