LOUISVILLE, Ky. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team competed at the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals on Friday. The eighth-ranked Blugolds' two duals went down to the wire, but ultimately both ended as defeats.
The Blugolds opened their time in Kentucky with a dual against Loras College. Despite the two teams splitting the 10 matches evenly, UW-Eau Claire fell 21-15. All five of the Blugolds' wins came via decision. Tenth-ranked Tyler Fleetwood (Jr. – Fulton, Ill.) won 4-0 at 133 pounds, No. 15 Zach Sato (So. – Oswego, Ill.) scored a 5-2 victory at 149, 12th-ranked Tristan Massie (Jr. – Hillsdale, Wis./Barron) won 8-7 at 165, No. 13 Jared Stricker (So. – Ashland, Wis.) prevailed 5-1 at 174 and No. 11 Chase Melton (Sr. – Spooner, Wis.) won 4-2 at 197.
Ryan Goddard (Fr. – Oswego, Ill.) and Jackson Schichel (Jr. – Hastings, Minn.) both fell in decisions, and Jake Matthews (So. – Addison Trail, Ill.) and Zach Schneider (Jr. – Houston, Minn.) both saw their matches end via fall. Ninth-ranked Niall Schoenfelder (So. – Antioch, Ill.) fell by major decision in a clash with top-ranked Shane Liegel at 184.
The dual defeat dropped the Blugolds into the consolation bracket.
The Blugolds' second dual of the day came down to the final match, but UW-Eau Claire ultimately fell to Luther 24-18. Fleetwood won by technical fall 16-1, Sato prevailed with an 8-5 decision, Massie won in a 9-3 decision, Stricker picked up a 13-1 major decision and Sam Melton (Jr. – Shell Lake, Wis.) tied the match at 18-18 with a 5-2 decision win at 197 pounds. However, Luther won the heavyweight matchup to clinch the dual. Luther won twice by fall and added a technical fall along with wins by decision and major decision.
UW-Eau Claire returns to the mat on Saturday morning with a dual against Rochester Institute of Technology. Wrestling is set to begin at 8 a.m. Central. The Blugolds are in the bracket to wrestle for 13th-16th place. They're ranked No. 8 in the country in the NWCA dual rankings, which is the highest ranking the program has ever had.
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