Wrestlers put stamp on 2017-18 season at end-of-year banquet

Posted: Apr 30, 2018

By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The 2017-18 season for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team was yet another historical one to add to their successes of the last few years. On Friday, the team honored their award winners from the season at their year-end banquet held at Wild Ridge Golf Course.

The evening started by honoring the squad's letter winners, including four-year letter winner, Cecil Philson (Sr.-Thorp, WI). He became just the thirty-fifth Blugold wrestler in program history to be a four-time letter winner. Philson was also among the three wrestlers to be presented with their NWCA Division III All-Academic Team certificates. Seth Vosters (So.-Freedom, WI) and Chase Schmidt (Fr.-Rice Lake, WI) earned their place on that team as well.

The team's captains were then presented with their plaques. This year's captains were Tyler Vogt (Sr.-Owatonna, MN), Ramsey Bloy (Jr.-Freedom, WI), Jordan Meyer (So.-Evansville, WI), and Carter Focht (Sr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi). Quite a bit of hardware was handed out to this crew for their accomplishments throughout the season.

Vogt was named the Ricky Gonzales Award winner, presented by Blugold alum and teammate to Gonzales, Mat Rieckoff. Bloy was then presented with the "Never Better" Award as well as the Most Valuable Wrestler Award.

Bloy was among three NCAA Tournament qualifiers who were also honored throughout the banquet. Joining him in Cleveland this past March was Vosters as well as Rookie of the Year winner, Tyler Demo (Fr.-Loves Park, IL/Belvidere North).

Additional awards handed out included Most Improved going to Hunter Pierce (Fr.-Tomah, WI), the Training Staff Award and Highest GPA to Abe Dickenson (Fr.-Slinger, WI), and Hardest Working and Most Pins to Evan Lawrence (Fr.-Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi).

The wrestling team finished their season with an overall dual record of 11-6, highlighted by sending a school-record three participants to the national tournament.

Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.