EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team was back in the McPhee Physical Education Center gymnasium on Saturday as they hosted their annual 8 Man Battles. The UW-Eau Claire hosted Saint John's (Minn.), Augustana (Ill.), and Buena Vista and ultimately, the Blugolds took first place with eight 1st place finishers.
Jake Drexler (Jr. – Stratford, WI) was one of eight Blugolds earning their spot on the top of the podium in their respective weight classes. Drexler dominated in each of his matches by winning by a pinfall average of 1:52 in the 149-weight class.
Adam Rients (Jr. – Waterville, MN/WEM), Chase Schmidt (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI), and Evan Lawrence (Sr. – Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi) all placed firs tin their respective brackets after receiving a first round bye. With two major decision wins and two pinfalls between the three, they combined for 61.5 of the team's total points.
Mason Hawkins (Sr. – Farmington, MN) and Austen Hakes (Sr. – River Falls, WI) got things done in their classes at 197 and 285 with a combined five pinfalls in just seven matches. In the flights division, Kyle Eberle (Oconomowoc, WI/Arrowhead) and Noah Brown (Fr. – Iron River, IL/Libertyville) both took home 1st place finishes in their respective brackets.
The Blugolds will head across state lines on Wednesday, November 24th when they compete in a triangular with #4 ranked Augsburg University and #3 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology. The match against Stevens at 11AM and against the host school, Augsburg, at 2:30PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
