HERSHEY, PA (Blugolds.com) – UW-Eau Claire wrestlers Mat Rieckhoff (Sr.-Wausau, Wis./D.C. Everest) and Justin Karkula (So.-Oshkosh, Wis./West) competed in day one of the NCAA Division III Championships Friday.
Rieckhoff, wrestling at 184, faced Daniel Olsen of Wheaton College (Illinois) in the opening round, losing by decision, 6-4. In his second match, the senior won by fall (3:39) over Jayden DeVilbiss of Luther College.
Rieckhoff's win advanced him to the second session on Friday night where he met Christoper Chorzepa of Williams College. Rieckhoff was unable to keep up with Chorzepa as he lost by a tech fall, ending his season at 18-20.
At 285, Karkula was pinned (4:45) by Delaware Valley's Zachery Roseberry in round one. In his second match, Karkula was pinned by UW-Whitewater's Anthony Edgren at 3:43. Karkula finishes his season at 28-20.