LA CROSSE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire wrestling team visited Mitchell Hall in La Crosse for the Candlewood Suites UW-La Crosse Wrestling Duals today. The Blugolds faced tough matchups against Cornell College (Iowa), Waldorf College (Iowa), 26th-ranked Loras College (Iowa), and 25th-ranked St. John's (Minn.).
Behnke led the Blugolds by winning all four of his matches at 141 pounds today.
In round one, the Blugolds lost 37-9 to Cornell College. The Blugolds had two victories, with Nathaniel Behnke (Fr.-Bruce, Wis.) winning by fall at 141 pounds over Ray Feliz-Taveras, and Mat Rieckhoff (Jr.-Wausau, Wis./D.C. Everest) winning by decision 6-1 at 184 pounds.
In round two, the Blugolds fared slightly better against Waldorf College, losing 39-15. This time, the Blugolds won three matches, with Behnke, Matt Koch (Fr.-Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong), and Luke Ortscheid (Jr.-Wausau, Wis./West) all winning.
The third round was much of the same story for Eau Claire, losing to Loras College 39-9. Again, Behnke and Ortscheid both picked up wins for the Blugolds.
In the final round, the Blugolds again fell to 25th-ranked St. John's. Behnke won his fourth of four matches in the 141 pound division with his win by fall at 4:05. Ortscheid won his third match of the day by a 7-3 decision.
UW-Eau Claire will have its next event a week from today when they host UW-Platteville, Carroll University, and St. Olaf College (Minn.) beginning at 1 p.m.
-BP-
