By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
MOORHEAD, Minn. (blugolds.com) - The 2017 NCAA Division III Wrestling West Regional took place on Saturday, and after the day's events, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will be sending Zackary Sirny (Sr.-Wild Rose, WI) to the NCAA Tournament in two weeks.
Sirny went 2-1 on way to taking second place, qualifying for the national tournament in the process. The runner-up finish was that much sweeter for the 125-pounder after earning fourth place a year ago in the Regional, one spot short of making it to Nationals. On Saturday, Sirny picked up two dominant major decision wins before a very close defeat in the finals to No. 4-ranked Victor Gliva of Augsburg.
"After falling short last year, it just motivated me during the offseason to reach my goal of the national tournament," said Sirny. "My true goals aren't done yet though. I have two weeks to work and then a new season starts. The goal now is to finish atop the podium and be an All-American."
Sirny's practice partner, Cody Vogel (Fr.-Elkhorn, WI/East Troy), had a nice day himself, taking fourth place. The 133-pound freshman went 2-2 on the day, just missing his chance to join Sirny at nationals as he lost 9-6 in the third place match.
The Blugolds had a trio of wrestlers take fifth place, those being Carter Focht (Jr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi) at 149-pounds, Connor Hanson (Jr.-Harmony, MN/Fillmore Central) at 157-pounds, and Justin Karkula (Sr.-Oshkosh, WI/West) at heavyweight. Both juniors ended their season on a high note with first period pinfalls, while Karkula did so by receiving a forfeit in what was arguably the toughest bracket in the tournament.
Other placewinners included Scott Worlund (Sr.-Pittsville, WI) and Tyler Vogt (Jr.-Owatonna, MN), who both finished in sixth. Worlund ended his career with the Blugolds by serving as a late-notice replacement in the 141-pound bracket, and he was able to get one last pin along the way. Vogt won a hard-fought quarterfinal match in overtime before dropping three straight once reaching the semifinals.
As a team, the Blugolds finished in fifth place with 79 team points.
Stay tuned for Sirny's NCAA Tournament draw to be announced to see where he will be placed in the 125-pound bracket.
Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.
---
Full Results
125 lbs.
Quarterfinal - Zackary Sirny (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by major decision over Anthony Hennen (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) (MD 9-0)
Semifinal - Zackary Sirny (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by major decision over Anthony Senthavisouk (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) (MD 13-0)
1st Place Match - Victor Gliva (Augsburg College) won by decision over Zackary Sirny (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 3-2)
133 lbs.
Quarterfinal - Cody Vogel (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by fall over Jonathan Flores (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) (Fall 2:18)
Semifinal - Sam Bennyhoff (Augsburg College) won by major decision over Cody Vogel (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (MD 14-2)
Cons. Semi - Cody Vogel (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by fall over Luke Wallace (St. Olaf College) (Fall 1:28)
3rd Place Match - Noah Becker (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) won by decision over Cody Vogel (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 9-6)
141 lbs.
Quarterfinal - Kody Azarian (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) won by tech fall over Scott Worlund (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (TF-1.5 4:49 (18-3))
Cons. Round 3 - Scott Worlund (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by fall over James Cushman (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) (Fall 1:37)
Cons. Semi - Joshua Curcio (Concordia University Wisconsin) won by fall over Scott Worlund (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Fall 4:33)
5th Place Match - Andrew Smith (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) won by major decision over Scott Worlund (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (MD 11-1)
149 lbs.
Champ. Round 1 - Carter Focht (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by decision over Jack Rathburn (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) (Dec 4-1)
Quarterfinal - Carter Focht (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by decision over Ian Gioacchini (Lakeland College) (Dec 6-3)
Semifinal - Ty Johnson (Concordia College-Moorhead) won by decision over Carter Focht (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 3-1)
Cons. Semi - Trevor Harsh (University Of Wisconsin-Platteville) won by decision over Carter Focht (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 5-2)
5th Place Match - Carter Focht (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by fall over Branden Schorr (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) (Fall 1:43)
157 lbs.
Champ. Round 1 - Connor Hanson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won in tie breaker - 1 over Mike Matheson (St. Olaf College) (TB-1 2-1)
Quarterfinal - Mark Choinski (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) won by fall over Connor Hanson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Fall 1:05)
Cons. Round 3 - Connor Hanson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by decision over Eli Were (Concordia University Wisconsin) (Dec 9-6)
Cons. Semi - Jerod Novak (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) won by decision over Connor Hanson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 10-5)
5th Place Match - Connor Hanson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by fall over Sam Rathburn (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) (Fall 2:14)
165 lbs.
Champ. Round 1 - Toby Mosley (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by tech fall over Zackary Culter (University Of The Pacific) (TF-1.5 5:20 (17-2))
Quarterfinal - Teddy Erickson (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) won by major decision over Toby Mosley (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (MD 12-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Toby Mosley (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by major decision over Garret Gross (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) (MD 9-1)
Cons. Round 3 - Aristide Serrano (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) won by major decision over Toby Mosley (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (MD 14-5)
174 lbs.
Quarterfinal - Tyler Vogt (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won in sudden victory - 1 over Devon McCune (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) (SV-1 6-4)
Semifinal - Mason Mergener (Concordia University Wisconsin) won by decision over Tyler Vogt (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Semi - Jake Johnson (Concordia College-Moorhead) won by decision over Tyler Vogt (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 3-1)
5th Place Match - Devon McCune (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) won by decision over Tyler Vogt (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 11-8)
184 lbs.
Champ. Round 1 - Grant Balconi (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by fall over Jacob Richards (University Of The Pacific) (Fall 4:25)
Quarterfinal - Owen Webster (Augsburg College) won by fall over Grant Balconi (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Fall 3:18)
Cons. Round 3 - Luke Dodd (St. Johns University (Minnesota)) won by fall over Grant Balconi (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Fall 2:28)
197 lbs.
Quarterfinal - Devin Mahnke (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) won by major decision over Cecil Philson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (MD 13-5)
Cons. Round 2 - Cecil Philson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by major decision over Sebastian Hyta (St. Olaf College) (MD 13-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Kody Vandeneykel (Concordia College-Moorhead) won by decision over Cecil Philson (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 5-2)
285 lbs.
Quarterfinal - D`Andre Johnson (University Of Wisconsin-Platteville) won by decision over Justin Karkula (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 4-2)
Cons. Round 2 - Justin Karkula (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by decision over John Hinson (Concordia University Wisconsin) (Dec 6-2)
Cons. Round 3 - Justin Karkula (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by decision over Elijah Burdick (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) (Dec 7-1)
Cons. Semi - Austin Bellile (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) won by decision over Justin Karkula (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) (Dec 2-0)
5th Place Match - Justin Karkula (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) won by forfeit over D`Andre Johnson (University Of Wisconsin-Platteville) (For.)
