By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - Of the nine matches wrestled Thursday night (University of Wisconsin-Whitewater received a forfeit win at 141-pounds), the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team was victorious in four of them. Despite nearly winning half of the matches, the Blugolds were topped in the dual meet by a score of 25-12, proving the importance of bonus points in the match.

Whitewater picked up a technical fall at 133-pounds, the forfeit at 141, and another tech. fall at 184-pounds. The No. 15-ranked Warhawks were also victorious at 125- and 174-pounds as well.

After falling behind 14-0 through three matches, Carter Focht (Jr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi) got the Blugolds on the board with an 8-4 decision win over Maxx Hubbard at 149-pounds.

The next two wins for Eau Claire both came as a result of last-second takedowns to seal the victories. At 165-pounds, Toby Mosley (So.-Sparta, WI) hit a blast double leg takedown just before time expired to move ahead 8-7 and get the win. Then, in similar fashion to a number of his previous matches already this season, a late charge by Cecil Philson (Jr.-Thorp, WI) led to his 6-3 victory. Philson got a takedown and pair of back-points in the final seconds on the edge of the mat for the decision win.

Senior Justin Karkula (Oshkosh, WI/West) followed up Philson's win with one of his own, dominating from start to finish. Karkula's 6-0 decision served as a nice follow-up to his impressive outing this past Saturday.

The Blugolds are off for over a month now, with their next competition taking place in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They will take part in the Budd Whitehill Duals on January 13 and 14.