STEVENS POINT, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team traveled to UW-Stevens Point on Sunday for the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championships presented by Culver's. With 19 Wrestlers representing UW-Eau Claire in the tournament, the Blugolds would make history with their highest team placement at second place (141.5 pts). Jake Drexler (Jr. – Stratford, WI) led the Blugolds, claiming the title at 149 and becoming the first Blugold Champion since 2006.
Complete Results | UWEC Ind. Results
Jake Drexler, who was the runner-up at 149 a year ago, finished his 2021 campaign strong with a 1st place finish over Sam Wenzel (UWEC). Drexler, who started the season losing his first two matches, would complete a 6-match win streak for his second podium placement of his career at the WIAC Championships. Drexler is the first WIAC Champion for Eau Claire since 2006, when Derek Sikora won at 165.
Evan Lawrence (Sr. – Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi) picked up his third, fourth, and fifth wins of the season on his way to the podium. Lawrence would fall to Reed Williams (UWL) in the 174 finals and secure 2nd place for his second runner-up title and third podium placement at the WIAC Championships.
Mason Hawkins (Sr. - Farmington, MN) would take home second place for Eau Claire. After falling to Konrad Ernst in the finals, Hawkins finished the season with an overall record of 5-2 overall.
Jack Marley (Jr. – Trempealeau, WI/Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeu) took home third place honors after winning a rematch from last year's WIAC Championship third place match at 125. After defeating Denis Murphy (UWO) by tech fall (TF-1.5 5:49 (24-5)) Marley earned himself his highest finish in the conference tournament and finishes his season with an overall record of 7-3.
Niall Schoenfelder (Fr. - Antioch, IL) would grab a third place finsh at 179 in his first year as a Blugold. Schoenfelder's win by pinfall last 5:40 and was good for his sixth win of his career.
James Huntley (Sr. - Woodbury, MN/Stillwater) won by major decision (10-2) over Jerry Lipke (UWSP) for a third place win at 197. Huntley also finished the year with six wins.
Austen Hakes (Sr. - River Falls, WI) pinned Jordan Lemcke (UWO) in his final match of the year, to earn himself a third place finish. Hakes went 4-1 on the day and finshes his season at 7-2 overall.
Eli Audley (Sr. - Pewaukee, WI/Arrowhead) was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship team.
Podium Matches:
1st 149: Jake Drexler (UWEC) 6-2, over Sam Wenzel (UWL) 6-2, (Fall 1:32)
1st 174: Reed Williams (UWL) 7-0, over Evan Lawrence (UWEC) 5-2, (MD 14-2)
1st 285: Konrad Ernst (UWL) 8-0, over Mason Hawkins (UWEC) 6-2, (Dec 4-2)
3rd 125: Jack Marley (UWEC) 7-3, over Denis Murphy (UWO) 3-4, (TF-1.5 5:49 (24-5))
3rd 133: Luc Valdez (UWO) 5-3, over Javon Taschuk (Fr. - Afton, MN/Stillwater) (UWEC) 3-5, (Dec 4-1)
3rd 165: Chase Schmidt (Sr. - Rice Lake, WI) (UWEC) 5-3, over Brandon Peckham (UWSP) 4-5, (TB-2 7-6)
3rd 179: Niall Schoenfelder (UWEC) 6-1, Fr. over Nick Dado (UWP) 5-4, Sr. (Fall 5:40)
3rd 184: Isaac Gust (UWL) 6-1, over Sam Melton (So. - Shell Lake, WI/Spooner) (UWEC) 4-4, (Dec 3-2)
3rd 197: James Huntley (UWEC) 6-3, over Jerry Lipke (UWSP) 4-5, (MD 10-2)
3rd 285: Austen Hakes (UWEC) 7-2, Sr. over Jordan Lemcke (UWO) 4-4, Sr. (Fall 0:58)
5th 141: Austin Mowery (Fr. - Westby, WI) (UWEC) 4-6, over Tyler Hantsbarger (UWEC) (Fr. - Somerset, WI) 1-3, (Dec 6-0)
5th 149: Wyler Lubeck (Fr. - Vesper, WI/Lincoln) (UWEC) 2-2, over Mason Wheeler (UWSP) 1-7, (Fall 2:02)
5th 157: Caden Fry (UWP) 3-6, over Reid Lawrence (Fr. - Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi) (UWEC) 1-5, (Fall 3:35)
5th 165: Kaleb O`Reilly (UWL) 6-2, over Alfred Daniel Sr. - Manhattan, NY/St. Benedict's) (UWEC) 5-5, (Fall 4:37)
5th 184: Chase Melton (So. - Spooner, WI) (UWEC) 5-4, over Taran Holland (UWSP) 2-8, (Dec 10-4)
5th 197: Max Schmitz (UWP) 3-3, over Jackson Schichel (Fr. -Hastings, MN) (UWEC) 3-5, (Fall 1:54)
The Blugolds' season comes to and end with a team regular season record of 3-2 and a second place finsh overall, a program-best.
