By Travis Nyhus, UWEC Sports Information
PHILADELPHIA, Penn. (Blugolds.com)- The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire wrestling team traveled to Philadelphia to partake in the Will Abele Open at Ursinus College. It was a fantastic day as many Blugolds finished in 1st place in their respective weight classes as well as finishing with a 1st place finish in team score with a total of 149.0 points.
Finishing in 1st place in the 125 pound weight class was Zackary Sirny (Jr.- Wild Rose, WI). After having the bye in the first round Sirny defeated Matt Moy of Case Western Reserve by major decision 9-1. Sirny also beat Brandon Greyson of Ursinus College by major decision 13-0 and Jacob Spearman of Washington and Jefferson by major decision 14-6 to take first place in his weight class.
Also finishing in first place was Scott Worlund (Jr. -Pittsville, WI) in the 133 pound weight class. Worlund took down Johnathan Swann of Washington and Jefferson by fall (1:03) and Samuel Comfort of Rhode Island College by fall (1:30). To take home the top place Worlund defeated Patrick Ammirati of Ursinus College with a 7-3 decision.
Continuing the winning ways was Nathaniel Behnke (Sr.-Bruce, WI) as he also finished at the top of the 141 pound weight class. Behnke finished his first matchup by defeating Devin Jefferson of Middlesex Community College by technical fall 16-1. In order to finish in 1st Behnke defeated Hunter Shelton of University of Maryland Baltimore County with a 15-2 major decision.
Roy Munroe (Sr.-Cadott, WI) also finished the day in 1st place. He defeated Carlos Austin of Valley Forge Military Academy by fall (0:17), Joshua Armstrong of Washington and Jefferson by a 7-0 decision, and John Morrison of Ursinus College with a 4-0 decision to take home 1st place at 149 pounds.
Another 1st place finish was achieved by Justin Karkula (Jr.-Oshkosh, WI/West). Karkula took down Kevin Hernando of Rhode Island College by Fall (2:49) in his first matchup and Ben Aquilina of Middlesex Community College in overtime 6-4. The championship match consisted Karkula and Ian Lynch of Camden County College where Karkula emerged victorious with a 12-4 major decision.
Also placing were Carter Focht (So. -Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi) with a 3rd place finish, Ryan Behnke (Jr.-Bruce,WI) with a 2nd place finish and with Jeremy Amundson (Jr.-Osceola, WI) also finishing in 2nd.
The Blugolds return to action at home when they take on UW-Oshkosh in the Chancellors Cup Dual on January 19.