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.
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 4th place finish. At 184-pounds, Grant Balconi (Fr.-Muskego, WI) used a pin over Andrew Turner (Unattached) on way to placing third.