ROCHESTER, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling ream kicked of the 2019-20 season with the Yellowjacket Open where five Blugolds finished in the top eight.
Jake Drexler (So. – Stratford) led the way with a first place finish at 149 pounds. Drexler dominated from the start, winning his first four matchups by fall. In the championship match, Drexler won with a sudden victory over Chance Throndson of Upper Iowa (SV-1 3-2).
Chase Melton (Fr. – Spooner) finished in third place at 184 after three pins to start the tournament. Melton fell by decision in the semifinal but tallied another fall in the third place match, this time over Gavin Christoffersen of Rochester Community College.
Also at 184, Sam Melton (Fr. – Shell Lake) took eighth place for the Blugolds. S. Melton recorded a pin in his first match but fell in his second. In the consolation round, he tallied another pin.
At 125, Jack Marley (So. – Trempealeau/GET) finished in eighth place. Marley won by fall in his first match before falling in the second round to move into the consolation bracket. Marley won his next three matches by fall and a medical forfeit put him in his final match of the day where he fell by an 8-5 decision.
Thomas Severson (So. – Marathon/DC Everest) also recorded an eighth place finish at 133. After a first round bye, Severson won by a 7-3 decision but fell in the next match with a 9-3 decision. In the consolation bracket, Severson went 1-1 to finish the day.
Next up for the Blugolds is their home opener on Nov. 13 as they host UW-Oshkosh for the Chancellor's Cup at 7 p.m.
