MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team was on the road for one more competition before the holiday break. A triangular hosted by Augsburg University gave UW-Eau Claire the chance to face two teams ranked in the top-5 of the latest NWCAonline.com coaches' rankings. With the first and last matches of the day, the Blugolds upset No. 3 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology and battled hard in a 18-15 defeat to No. 4 ranked Augsburg. No. 12 Mason Hawkins (Sr. – Farmington, MN) won both his matches at the HWT division, including an upset over Augsburg's No. 4 Tyler Kim (AUG) to end the day.
Dual 1 Results | Dual 2 Results
In the first dual of the day, UWEC came out with fire as Jack Marley (Jr. – Trempealeau, WI/Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau) defeated No. 7 ranked Akhil Vega (STI) by an 8-3 decision at 125. Javon Taschuk (Fr. – Afton, MN/Stillwater) followed suit at 133 by pinning Luke Hoerle (STI) in 2:12 to give the Blugolds a 9-0 over the Ducks. Marley earned his sixth win of the season and Taschuk improved to 9-2.
The Ducks battled back and took the lead with victories in the 141, 149, and 157 weight classes. Chase Schmidt (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI), who ranks 7th in the nation at 165, brought Eau Claire back within two points with a dominant 7-1 decision over Harrison Hinojosa (STI). The next match saw at 174 saw No. 7 Evan Lawrence (Sr. – Hugo, MN) boast a 18-1 technical fall over Frank Medina (STI) to put the Blugolds back in front. Chase Melton (So. Spooner, WI) continued the UWEC run with a 13-5 major decision pushing Eau Claire to a 21-15 lead.
That lead was cut to just two after a Duck's win at 197, but Mason Hawkins sealed the 27-19 Blugold win with his pin over Joseph Russell (STI) in the HWT weight class.
With Augsburg and Stevens battling it out in the second dual of the day, the Blugolds were able to rest and prepare for the final dual of the da against the Auggies.
The momentum from the opening upset carried over to the beginning of their second dual as Marley and Taschuk both won by decision in their respective divisions. Jake Drexler (Jr. – Stratford, WI), the 13th ranked wrestler at 149, bounced back after a technical fall defeat in the first dual, with a 4-1 decision victory over Charlie Stuhl (AUG) to bring his team to a 9-3 advantage.
The Auggies battled their way back for the lead with wins at 157, 174, 184, and 197 heading into the final match. Mason Hawkins ended the day with a tough 4-3 decision win over No. 4 T. Kim (AUG) for his second win of the day and 11th victory of the season. The decision upset would not be enough as Eau Claire fell to Augsburg, 18-15.
UWEC now holds a dual record of 2-2 on the year.
The Blugolds will enjoy the holidays with family and be back on the road on December 4th when they compete at the MSOE Invitational in Milwaukee, WI. The tournament begins at 9AM in the Kern Center.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
