EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team wrapped up the 2022 NCAA Division III Wrestling Upper Midwest Regional Tournament on Saturday in the McPhee Physical Education Center. The Blugolds made history as a team as well as posting historic individual placements as the team finished second and had five individuals advance to the NCAA Championships.
With 143 points scored as a team, UW-Eau Claire was the only team to feature at least one podium placement in each weight division. The second-place finish for the Blugolds is also the highest the team has placed in a NCAA Regional in program history.
Jake Drexler (Jr. – Stratford, WI) made history last year becoming the first UWEC wrestler to win a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Championship since 2003. He made history again on Saturday with his first-place finish in the 149 division. Eau Claire's last regional champ dates back to 2018 when Ramsey Bloy won his bracket. After two wins on day one, Drexler earned his spot in the finals with a semifinal victory over J. Buford (UWO). The championship match was a tough one, but in the end, Drexler pulled away with the 6-1 decision victory to earn a top podium finish. The top place finish earns Drexler a trip to the NCAA National Championship tournament in two weeks.
Two other Blugolds also appeared in the top matches of their brackets by winning their opening semifinal matches of the day. Tyler Fleetwood (So. – Fulton, IL/Wartburg) and Chase Schmidt (Sr. – Rice Lake, WI) punched their tickets to the NCAA Championships with their second-place finishes in their respective divisions. Fleetwood fell in his finals match to M. Berlin (UWSP) by a 11-2 major decision. Schmidt fell just short in his bout against S. Brossard (UWL) by a 6-4 decision.
Jared Stricker (Fr. – Ashland, WI) and Zach Sato (Sr. – Oswego, IL) started their days on the outside looking in after both Blugolds fell in their semifinal contests. Stricker bounced back in the 174 division with a third-place 6-3 decision victory over R. Vedner (UWW) to earn a trip to the NCAA's. Sato shared the same outcome with a victory over E. Reagner (WC), earning him a spot in the national tournament.
With a program record five Blugolds moving on to the NCAA Championships in Cedar Rapids, IA, the rest of the team also received placements in their respective divisions.
3rd Place Match - Ben Kawcyznski (UWL) over Mason Hawkins (Sr. – Farmington, MN) (SV-1 3-1)
3rd Place Match - Maguire Pecci (CHI) over Evan Lawrence (Sr. – Hugo, MN) (Dec 7-4)
5th Place Match - Jack O`Donnell (CUW) over Tristan Massie (So. – Hillsdale, WI/Baron) (Dec 11-10)
7th Place Match - Jack Marley (Jr. – Trempealeau, WI/G-E-T) over Jake Hamulak (CHI) (Fall 4:30)
7th Place Match - Sam Melton (So. – Shell Lake, WI/Spooner) over Jackson Punzel (WC) (Dec 8-6)
Head Coach Tim Fader received the Coach of the Tournament award and his staff shared the Assistant Coaching Staff of the Tournament with Augsburg University.
The five advancing Blugolds will travel to Cedar Rapids, IA for the 2022 Division III Wrestling Championships on Friday, March 11th for the two-day national tournament. Tournament details and brackets will be available at NCAA.com.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
