Pioneers Defeat UW-Eau Claire, 27-16

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team earned its first conference win of the season, defeating UW-Eau Claire, 27-16 on Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers (1-3, 1-3 WIAC) took an early 6-0 by a forfeit at 125-pounds. Sophomore Mack Drees pinned Ian Jones at the 3:45 mark to give UW-Platteville a commanding 12-0 lead. The Blugolds (0-6, 0-3 WIAC) won at 141-pounds and 149-pounds to cut their deficit to 12-7, but a major decision (15-1) by UW-Platteville's Mike Uliana gave the Pioneers a 16-7 advantage. A pair of major decisions by Peter Crocco at 165-pounds (16-5) and Randy Wade at 165-pounds (10-1) gave the Pioneers a comfortable 24-7 lead. Bryant Etherton sealed the Pioneer victory by defeating Brandt Gavin in a 10-4 decision.

The Pioneers will have the next month off before welcoming Augustana on Jan. 8 for a non-conference dual meet in Williams Fieldhouse at 7 p.m.

UW-Platteville 27, UW-Eau Claire 16

125 – Cole Ferguson (UWP) won by forfeit - 6-0

133 – Mack Drees (UWP) def. Ian Jones (UWEC) – Pin, 3:45 - 12-0

141 – Nathaniel Behnke (UWEC) def. Mason Bohm (UWP) – Major Decision, 12-2 - 12-4

149 – Steven Fisher (UWEC) def. Brad Blechschmidt (UWP) – Decision, 3-2 - 12-7

157 – Mike Uliana (UWP) def. Brandon Stradel (UWEC) – Major Decision, 15-1 - 16-7

165 – Peter Crocco (UWP) def. Matt Koch (UWEC) – Major Decision, 16-5 - 20-7

174 – Randy Wade (UWP) def. Jacob Hoffstatter (UWEC) – Major Decision, 10-1 - 24-7

184 – Bryant Etherton (UWP) def. Brandt Gavin (UWEC) – Decision, 10-4 - 27-7

197 – Mat Rieckhoff (UWEC) def. Dylan DeShane (UWP) – Pin, 0:27 - 27-13

HWT – Luke Ortscheid (UWEC) def. Sean Yaros (UWP) – Decision, 9-4 - 27-16