By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team hosted the 40th annual Don Parker Open on Saturday with eighteen Blugolds competing in the tournament. Ramsey Bloy (Jr.-Freedom, WI) became the first UW-Eau Claire wrestler to take first place at the Don Parker since Joe Pitsch won the heavyweight title in 2012.
Bloy used a pair of decisions and major decisions to reach the finals and secure a rematch against Augsburg's Lance Benick in the 197-pound bracket. Benick defeated Bloy (5-3) two weeks ago in the dual in Minneapolis, but on Saturday, Bloy avenged the loss with a comeback 4-3 decision.
"It's nice to win at home, and that kid is very good," said Bloy. "This time I stuck to my game plan, and that is something I have been working on with my coaches all season."
The Blugolds had four other wrestlers place on Saturday.
Hunter Pierce (Fr.-Tomah, WI) took fourth at 141-pounds, adding a pair of pinfalls to his total on the year.
The 174-pound bracket pitted Evan Lawrence (Fr.-Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi) and Tyler Vogt (Sr.-Owatonna, MN) against each other in the fifth place match with Lawrence getting the better of Vogt this time, 5-2. Lawrence pinned three opponents in the Open, while Vogt had his hand raised three times as well.
Finally, Toby Mosley (Jr.-Sparta, WI) went 3-2 and fell short in the consolation championship at 165-pounds.
Eau Claire will compete in next Friday's Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament that takes place at UW-Whitewater.
Follow the action for all sports this season on Blugold Game Day.
