STEVENS POINT, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW- Eau Claire wrestling team opened its season on Saturday with some strong performances at UW-Stevens Point in the Pointer Open.

The Blugolds had four wrestlers in the top six for their respective weight classes.

The highest placement for UW-Eau Claire was by Mat Rieckhoff (Jr.-Wausau, Wis./D.C. Everest), who placed second in the 184-pound division. Rieckhoff won his first two matches to earn himself a spot in the championship match, where he was bested Parkside's Matt Gille with a 13-4 major decision.

Also leading the Blugolds was Zackary Sirny (Fr.-Wild Rose, Wis.), who placed third in the 125-pound division. Sirny faced Austin Hietpas from UW-Madison in the third place match and won with a 10-8 decision.

In addition, Nathaniel Behnke (Fr.-Bruce, Wis.) placed fourth in the 141-pound division and Ethan Skog (So.-Isanti, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian) placed sixth in the 165-pound division.

The Blugolds will look to maintain their momentum when they face UW-Stevens Point on the road in their first WIAC contest Wednesday. The match will begin at 7 p.m.

-BP-