COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team competed at the North Country Open on Saturday, with 14 Blugolds earning podium spots in the two divisions.
Two Blugolds led the way with first place finishes while four more took second.
In the Gold Bracket, Jack Marley (So. – Trempealeau/GET) finished second at 125 pounds. Marley started the day with a tech fall win (16-0) over St. Olaf's Dawson Kremlacek and in the semifinal, won by a 6-3 decision over Willie Meine of Southwest State. In the championship bout, Marley fell to Augsburg's Justin Stauffacher by a 11-4 decision.
Noah Carter (So. -Rochester, MN/Mayo) also tallied a second place finish in the Gold Brackett, competing at 285. Carter defeated Chase Liestman with a 5-0 decision in the first bout and followed it up with a 4-0 decision over Neil Hanson of Southwest State. In the semifinal, Carter earned a pin over Ethan Hofacker of Augsburg (2:59) but would fall in the championship match to Augsburg's Tyler Kim (Dec. 6-5).
In the Silver Bracket, Tristan Massie (Fr. – Hillsdale, WI/Barron) took first place at 157. Massie defeated Ty Haneke of Southwest State with a fall at 4:33 and tallied another pin in the semifinal over Julian Mares of Saint John's (1:42). In the championship match, Massie recorded an 8-6 decision over Southwest State's Sean Howk.
Also taking the top spot on the podium in the Silver Bracket was Sam Melton (Fr. - Shell Lake, WI/Spooner) at 197. Melton defeated Joe Hoeve (unattached) by a 14-4 major decision before tallying a pin over Aiden Schiltz (unattached) at 3:52. In the final bout, Melton recorded another pin, this time over Jacob Dykes of Southwest State (3:52).
In the Silver 174, Nicholas Starich tallied two major decision wins before falling in the championship match. Starich's first win was over Luke Clark of St. Cloud State (12-3) and the second over Bridger Kraye of MSU-Mankato (17-4). In the championship, Starich was pinned by Carter Marx of Southwest State.
In the Silver 184, Chase Melton (Fr. - Spooner, WI) went 3-1 on the day. Melton defeated Kris Kurtz of St. Olaf by a 14-2 major decision and won his second match by medical forfeit. After falling in his third bout, Melton bounced back with a 14-0 major decision over Dale Grindahl of Northland to claim second place.
Next up for the Blugolds is the Pete Willson Invitational, hosted by Wheaton College (IL) on Friday, January 31-February 1.
