EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team competed at day one of the 2022 NCAA Division III Wrestling Upper Midwest Regionals in their home facility, the McPhee Physical Education Center. With 18 teams and over 100 athletes competing in the regional tournament, the team ranked third after the first day with 76 points and all ten Blugolds earned their way to day two of competition.
Of the ten Blugolds to compete on the final day of the tournament, five of the competitors earned their place in the semifinals of their respective weight classes. Tyler Fleetwood (So. – Fulton, IL) earned two wins on the day with a 7-0 decision victory over A. Gabbert (AUG) and a pin over E. Pogorzeiski (UWW) in the 133-weight class. Zach Sato (Fr. – Oswego, IL) tallied two decision victories over A. Vincent (CUW) and T. Shackle (UWL) to advance to the semifinals in the 141 division.
At the 149 class, Jake Drexler (Jr. – Stratford, WI) recorded a 6-0 decision victory over L. Thorston (SJU) and a 6-2 win over J. Mandt (UWL) for a semifinal's appearance in day two. Chase Schmidt (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI) punched his semifinal ticket with dominant wins over C. Ruiz (CAR) and A. Strueder (UWSP) in the 165 bracket. Mason Hawkins (Sr. – Farmington, MN) was the final Blugold to go 2-0 on the opening day. A 16-1 tech fall over N. Nieberle (MSOE) and a close 3-1 decision victory over C. Koeppel (UWW) places Hawkins in the 285-weight class semifinals.
Five other Blugolds also made it to day two despite falling in at least one of their matches. Jack Marley (Jr. – Trempealeau, WI/G-E-T), Tristan Massie (So. – Hillsdale, WI/Baron), Jared Stricker (Fr. – Ashland, WI), Evan Lawrence (Sr. – Hugo, MN/Mahtomedi), and Sam Melton (So. – Shell Lake, WI/Spooner) will all have their chance at third place finishes in their respective weight divisions.
Day two of the 2022 NCAA Division III Wrestling Upper Midwest Regionals is set to begin from McPhee at 10AM on Saturday, February 26th. Doors open to the public at 9AM.
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