By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - On a night that honored the five seniors on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team, the action on the mat proved to be the story of the evening, as the Blugolds defeated the No. 20-ranked team in the nation. Thursday's results saw the blue and gold grapplers defeat UW-Platteville by a score of 21-19.
One of those five seniors, Zackary Sirny (Wild Rose, WI), received a forfeit victory to start the dual and put the Blugolds out to a 6-0 lead. Next, Cody Vogel (Fr.-Elkhorn, WI/East Troy) was on the wrong side of a major decision at 133-pounds, but Eau Claire picked up a pair of wins to follow. Jordan Meyer (Fr.-Evansville, WI) earned an 8-3 decision at 141-pounds, and then in a rematch from this past Saturday, Carter Focht (Jr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi) was victorious once again over the Pioneers' Carter Barkema. Connor Hanson (Jr.-Harmony, MN/Fillmore Central) lost a close 6-5 match to put the team score at 12-7 at the halfway mark.
In what ended up being the most significant match of the night for the Blugolds, Toby Mosley (So.-Sparta, WI) pinned his opponent at 165-pounds to regain some key momentum down the stretch. However, that was quickly thwarted with Platteville getting decision and pinfall wins in the next two bouts.
Now with the home squad up 18-16 with two matches to go, they likely would need to be victorious in just one to pull off the upset. Cecil Philson (Jr.-Thorp, WI) stepped up to the plate, pulling off the win in yet another close, high-scoring affair. While that did not seal the victory, Justin Karkula (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/West) staying off his back and avoiding a pin in his 8-4 loss did just that.
The remaining three seniors honored on Thursday night were Travis Cripe (Eden Prairie, MN), Robert Rocole (Lakewood, WI/Wabeno), and Scott Worlund (Pittsville, WI).
While that concluded the team's dual meets for the season, they still have plenty of wrestling to go, including playing host to the Don Parker Open this Saturday at the McPhee Center. Wrestling is set to begin at 10:00 a.m.
Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.
