By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The culmination of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team's 2017 season takes place this Saturday, February 25, from Memorial Auditorium in Moorhead, Minn. This time of the season is when wrestlers need to be peaking in order to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships. Ten Blugolds will have the opportunity to do just that this weekend at the 2017 NCAA Division III Wrestling West Regional.
Tournament Central | Perkin Season Recap Video | Fader Regional Preview Video
The regional, hosted by Concordia College, features eleven teams and will have a total of 30 wrestlers -- the top three placewinners in each weight class -- qualifying for the national tournament, which will be held March 11-12 in La Crosse, Wis.
The regular season for the Blugolds wrestling team was filled with much success, as their 9-5 dual meet record was the first winning season since 2008. However, now the focus will move toward the individuals competing to extend their season. Of the ten wrestlers representing the Blugolds this weekend, the makeup of the roster includes three freshmen, one sophomore, four juniors, and two seniors.
At 133-pounds, Cody Vogel (Fr.-Elkhorn, WI/East Troy) brings double digit wins into a weight class that is expected to have slim numbers for entrants at the regional. One weight north at 141-pounds, Jordan Meyer (Fr.-Evansville, WI) will likely receive a higher seed and is always a threat for a pinfall victory. Then, at 184-pounds, Grant Balconi (Fr.-Muskego, WI) will look to pull off some upsets through his persistence on the mat and high pace.
The lone sophomore, Toby Mosley (So.-Sparta, WI), is coming off a runner-up performance in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships. He is sure to be a dangerous draw with his season trending upward at the right time.
The junior class features four Blugolds all around the 20-win mark for the year. Carter Focht (Jr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi) leads the way with 26 wins. Focht is expected to receive a high seed in the 149-pound bracket. Two transfers from RCTC, Connor Hanson (Jr.-Harmony, MN/Fillmore Central) and Tyler Vogt (Jr.-Owatonna, MN), have had very successful first seasons with the Blugolds and look to qualify at 157- and 174-pounds respectively. Having a breakout year at 197-pounds, UW-Eau Claire's Cecil Philson (Jr.-Thorp, WI) will attempt to build off his WIAC Championships runner-up performance this Saturday.
Finally, the senior bookends of Zackary Sirny (Sr.-Wild Rose, WI) and Justin Karkula (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/West) will try to reach the NCAA Tournament in their last go. Sirny finished a win shy a year ago, placing fourth in the regional, and the 125-pounder is motivated to finally reach that mark of qualifying. He's arguably had the best season of anyone on this team and can cap that off with an NCAA bid this weekend. Karkula reached the NCAA's his sophomore season and is motivated to make the return trip this year. The Blugold heavyweight leads the team in wins this season and can finish his career on a high note by punching his ticket to La Crosse for nationals.
Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday. All matches will have live video webcast and live results courtesy of Trackwrestling (click here for link).
Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.
