By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team took part in Saturday's Auggie-Adidas Open at Augsburg College. The Blugolds were among seventeen teams to take part in the tournament.

Marcus Blount-McKinley's (So.-Rochester, MN/Mayo) first place finish in the 165-pound Silver Division highlighted the Blugolds' performance on the day. After Blount-McKinley started his UW-Eau Claire career with two pinfall victories two weeks ago, he continued his winning ways on Saturday with four more victories. He started the day with an 11-0 major decision over Cody Heitman (Southwest Minnesota State) and followed that up with a trio of decision wins. The sophomore defeated Cameron Schmitz (Augsburg) 8-3, Alfred Daniel (RCTC) 3-1, and won in the finals over Brett Clark (Luther) by a close score of 2-1.

The regular at 149-pounds for Eau Claire, Carter Focht (Jr.-Pine Springs, MN/Mahtomedi), earned a sixth place finish in the Gold Division. He went 2-2 on the day, with wins over Branden Schorr (St. John's) and Luke Finnel (UW-Madison Club Wrestling). Focht topped Schorr by a 6-1 decision and bested Finnel 6-3.

Also placing sixth on Saturday were Kyle Eberle (Fr.-Hartland, WI/Arrowhead) at 133-pounds and Grant Balconi (Fr.-Muskego, WI) in the 174-pound bracket, both in the Silver Division. Eberle won by fall over Calvin Ochi (St. Olaf), while Balconi was victorious over a St. Olaf opponent as well in tech-falling Benjamin Keillor 19-3.

The busy early part of the Blugolds wrestling schedule continues on Tuesday, when they travel to Decorah, Iowa to take on Luther College.