GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – While the UW-Eau Claire wrestling team won five out of 10 matches facing Itasca Community College, the Blugolds fell just short 26-24 Saturday evening.
The Blugolds forfeited both of the lighter weight classes, giving Itasca 12 points to start. Itasca also won at 141, 157 and 165 pounds.
Ryan Seidler (Jr.-Adams, Wis./Adams-Friendship) and Joe Pitsch (Sr.-Oshkosh, Wis./North) both picked up wins by fall over their opponents. Seidler pinned his opponent in 3:50 at 149 pounds while Pitsch won in 2:28 in the heavyweight class.
At 174, Tyler Kennedy (Jr.-Cottage Grove, Minn./Park) won by technical fall, 15-0, while Mat Rieckhoff (So.-Wausau, Wis./D.C. Everest) won by major decision, 11-1, at 184. Luke Ortscheid (So.-Wausau, Wis./West) also found his way to a win at 197 pounds with an 11-4 victory.
The loss drops Eau Claire's record to 1-8 on the season.
The Blugolds will now have a few weeks off and their next competition, the Maranatha Duals in Watertown, is scheduled for January 7.
Itasca 26, UW-Eau Claire 24
125 - (ICC) Justin Valhuerdi wins by Forfeit – UWEC 0, ICC 6
133 - (ICC) Ryan Pryzbyski wins by Forfeit – UWEC 0, ICC 12
141 - (ICC) Casey Williams wins by major decision 14-4 over (UWEC) Steven Fisher – UWEC 0, ICC 16
149 - (UWEC) Ryan Seidler wins by fall in 3:50 over (ICC) Thomas Gullikson - UWEC 6, ICC 16
157 - (ICC) David Booth wins by major decision over (UWEC) Brandon Stradel – UWEC 6, ICC 20
165 - (ICC) Conner Monk wins by fall in 2:50 over (UWEC) Mike Mello – UWEC 6, ICC 26
174 - (UWEC) Tyler Kennedy wins by tech-fall 15-0 over (ICC) Matt Beehler – UWEC 11, ICC 26
184 - (UWEC) Mat Rieckhoff wins by major decision 11-1 over (ICC) Jon Waldrup – UWEC 15, ICC 26
197 - (UWEC) Luke Ortscheid wins by decision 11-4 over (ICC) Spencer Corey – UWEC 18, ICC 26
HWT - (UWEC) Joe Pitsch wins by fall 2:28 over (ICC) Antonio Griffen – UWEC 24, ICC 26
-KM-
