GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team clinched the Blithe Memorial Duals championship on Saturday by finishing off an unbeaten run at the tournament. The Blugolds won three duals on Friday, and wrapped up the title by going 3-0 on the final day of action.
UW-Eau Claire opened bracket action by defeating Siena Heights University 51-5. The Blugolds won all but one match, with Carter Schulz (Fr. - Rice Lake, Wis.), Zach Sato (So. - Oswego, Ill.), Jan Hernandez-Soto (So. - Minneapolis, Minn./Patrick Henry), Jared Stricker (So. - Ashland, Wis.), Niall Schoenfelder (So. - Antioch, Ill.), Marcus Hankins (So. - Sauk City, Wis./Sauk Prairie) and Jackson Schichel (Jr. - Hastings, Minn.) all securing victories by fall. Carter Friend (Fr. - Whitewater, Wis.) added a win by 7-3 decision in his match, and the Blugolds also got a forfeit victory.
The Blugolds' second dual of the day followed similar trends. UW-Eau Claire eased past the hosts, Cornerstone University, 38-3. Tyler Fleetwood (Jr. - Fulton, Ill.), Chase Melton (Sr. - Spooner, Wis.) and Schichel all won via fall. Sato picked up a technical fall victory, 18-0. Schulz, Drew Kested (Fr. - Sterling, Ill.), Tristan Massie (Jr. - Hillsdale, Wis./Barron), Stricker and Schoenfelder all won by decisions, with the margin of victory for each being three or more. In all, the Blugolds won nine of the 10 matches.
UW-Eau Claire wrapped up the tournament title by blanking Albion College 47-0 in its final dual. Sato got his third pin of the day for the Blugolds, and Stricker also won by fall in his match. Fleetwood, Massie and Melton all won by technical falls in strong showings for the Blugolds. Zach Schneider (Jr. - Houston, Minn.) and Schoenfelder both earned wins with major decisions. Schulz held on in his match for a 4-3 decision win, and Schichel earned a sudden victory to close out his action at the tournament.
Across six duals at the tournament, the Blugolds outscored their opponents 261-22.
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