SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - In the first dual meet of the year, the UW-Eau Claire wrestling team came up one point shy and fell 25-24 to Lakeland College (Wis.).
Despite the final loss, the Blugolds earned victories in five of the 10 weight classes. In the first meet under new head coach Russ Peloquin, the Blugolds won via three pins and two decisions.
In the 149 pound class, Kyle Heise (Fr.-Green Bay, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) quickly pinned his opponent in just over a minute at the 1:11 minute mark. Will Christ (Jr.-Shell Lake, Wis.) at 197 pounds and Joe Pitsch (Jr.-Oshkosh, Wis./North) in the heavyweight category also pinned their opponents in 4:03 and 6:08, respectively.
Ryan Seidler (So.-Adams, Wis./Adams-Friendship) defeated his opponent 14-10 in the 141 pound weight class. Matthew Rieckhoff (Fr.-Wausau, Wis./D.C. Everest) scored the Blugolds' fifth win in the 184 pound event by beating his challenger 6-5.
The Blugolds have the next weekend off, but will return to action Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Augsburg Open in Minneapolis, Minn. The competition will begin at 9 a.m.
Lakeland College def. UW-Eau Claire 25-24
125: Grant Franson (LC) won by forfeit
133: James Parker (LC) major dec. Steven Fisher 21-6
141: Ryan Seidler (EC) dec. Rob Frias 14-10
149: Kyle Heise (EC) pinned Max Loberger 1:11
157: Brandon Garcia (LC) pinned Levi Polus 5:58
165: Ryan Renon (LC) pinned Ricky Gonzales 3:50
174: Miguel Luis (LC) major dec. Craig Eckelberg 11-4
184: Matthew Rieckhoff (EC) dec. Chris Weber 6-5
197: Will Christ (EC) pinned Zach Wetzel 4:03
HWT: Joe Pitsch (EC) pinned Rob Forgette 6:08
