By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
WAYNESBURG, Penn. (blugolds.com) - For the third straight season, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team has taken a January trip to Pennsylvania. This year, they will take part in two tournaments out east. On Saturday, they competed in the Waynesburg Invitational and took second place as a team. Leading the way were championships won by Chase Schmidt (Fr.-Rice Lake, WI) and Ramsey Bloy (Jr.-Freedom, WI).
Schmidt took first in the 165-pound bracket with four wins on the day, highlighted by a pinfall in his opening match and a double overtime victory in the semifinals. Bloy won the 197-pound bracket in even more dominant fashion, pinning his way to the finals with four falls. In the championship, he picked up an 18-6 major decision to cap off his impressive tournament run.
Eau Claire also had finalists at 141- and 174-pounds, though both Jordan Meyer (So.-Evansville, WI) and Tyler Vogt (Sr.-Owatonna, MN) were defeated in their championship matches. The Blugolds had additional placewinners at these weight classes, as Tyler Demo (Fr.-Loves Park, IL/Belvidere North) and Hunter Pierce (Fr.-Tomah, WI) got fourth and fifth respectively at 141-pounds, while Evan Lawrence (Fr.-Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi) earned a fourth place finish at 174-pounds.
Additionally, Casey Hedrington (Fr.-Chippewa Falls, WI/Chi-Hi) took fifth at 133-pounds, Carter Focht (Sr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi) and Jaden Winchel (Fr.-Sparta, WI) finished fourth and sixth at 149-pounds, and at 157-pounds, Hunter DeLeon (So.-Anoka, MN) got fourth.
The Eau Claire wrestlers were pinning machines on Saturday. Collectively, they compiled 34 total pinfalls on the day.
The Blugolds' trip to the Keystone State continues next weekend when they compete in the Budd Whitehill Duals. The dual tournament takes place on Friday, January 12 and Saturday, January 13 in Williamsport.
Follow the action for all sports this season on Blugold Game Day.