Blugolds Return to the Mat at Pat Flanagan Open

Posted: Jan 07, 2017

By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information

DUBUQUE, Iowa (blugolds.com) – After nearly a month hiatus from competition, a handful of Blugold wrestlers returned to the mat on Saturday. Nine members of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team participated in the Pat Flanagan Open at Loras College with six of the grapplers finishing on the podium.

Full Results

The Blugolds heavyweight, Justin Karkula (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/West), led the charge in the home of the Duhawks, pinning his way to the finals. Karkula added three pinfalls to his total on the year, but came up short in the championship. The Oshkosh native lost in overtime to Northern Iowa's Carter Isley.

Also with an impressive showing at the Graber Sports Center on Saturday was 174-pounder Tyler Vogt (Jr.-Owatonna, MN). His 4-2 record on the day earned him a 4^th place finish. At 184-pounds, Grant Balconi (Fr.-Muskego, WI) used a pin over Andrew Turner (Unattached) on way to placing third.

In the 133-pound bracket, Eau Claire's Cody Vogel (Fr.- Elkhorn, WI/East Troy) and Scott Worlund (Sr.- Pittsville, WI) each were victorious over Darrin Eades (Northern Iowa) and took fourth and fifth places respectively. Finally, Connor Hanson (Jr.-Harmony, MN/Filmore Central) picked up two wins on the day, including a pin over conference foe Anthony Metallo of UW-Platteville, to secure a fifth place finish.

The second-half of the season really picks up now, with the Blugolds heading out east next week. They are taking part in the Budd Whitehill Duals out in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on Friday and Saturday (January 13-14) where they are to wrestle five times over the course of the two-day team tournament.

Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.