LA CROSSE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire wrestling team competed at the Candlewood Suites Wrestling Duals hosted by UW-La Crosse on Saturday, falling to 15th-ranked Loras and Southwest Minnesota State but finished with a win over 26th-ranked Saint John's.
In round one, the Blugolds faced off against No. 15 Loras and though Eau Claire won four of the last five matches, it was not enough as the Blugolds lost 30-23.
Seniors Brandon Stradel (Sr.-Denmark, WI) won by fall (3:39) at 165 pounds while Mat Rieckhoff (Sr.-Wausau, WI) won by technical fall, 16-0 (4:58) at 184.
Josh Cormican (So.-Boyceville, WI) won by fall (3:27) at 197 pounds and Justin Karkula (So.-Oshkosh, WI) won by forfeit at 285.
In round two, Eau Claire took on Minnesota State, falling 40-8.
Stradel won his second match of the day, winning by decision 7-2. Cormican also tallied another victory, winning by technical fall, 15-0 (4:47).
In the last match of the day, the Blugolds defeated No. 26-ranked Saint John's, 25-21.
Ty Griffin tallied a victory at 149 pounds, winning by decision 10-8.
At 157 pounds, Robert Rocole (So.-Lakewood, WI) also won by decision, 8-2 while Stradel remained undefeated on the day, winning by forfeit.
Matthew Laugen (So.-Fergus Falls, MN) won by fall (6:57) at 174 while Rieckhoff won his second match of the day by decision, 10-5. In the final Blugold match, Karkula won by major decision 13-4.
Eau Claire returns to the mat Thursday as they travel to Whitewater. Action begins at 7 p.m.
-JM-
