PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team set a new program record for single-season dual victories by defeating UW-Platteville 42-3 on Friday at Williams Fieldhouse. The Blugolds took nine of 10 matches to earn their 18th dual win of the season, besting the previous record of 17 set last season.
The Blugolds reeled off six bonus-point victories to roll past the Pioneers and move to 18-4 on the season. UW-Eau Claire is now 3-1 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) duals.
UW-Eau Claire had one pin, four technical falls and a major decision in the victory.
Izzy Balsiger (So. - Chippewa Falls, Wis.) started things off with a technical fall at 125 pounds, and seventh-ranked
Tyler Fleetwood (Sr. - Fulton, Ill.) did the same at 133 pounds.
Drew Kested (So. - Sterling, Ill.) won by 2-0 decision at 141 pounds. Sixth-ranked
Zach Sato (Jr. - Oswego, Ill.) followed with a technical fall at 149. The Pioneers' lone win came in the next match at 157, where
Colton Sund (Jr. - Prior Lake, Wis.) fell in a narrow 2-1 decision.
Sixth-ranked
Tristan Massie (Sr. - Hillsdale, Wis./Barron) got the Blugolds back on track with a technical fall at 165 pounds and started a run of five straight wins for UW-Eau Claire.
Preston Carlisle (So. - Red Wing, Minn./Cannon Falls) prevailed in a shutout 6-0 decision at 174.
Connor Collins (Sr. - Oshkosh, Wis./West) scored a pin in the first period at 184.
Cole Matulenko (Fr. - Libertyville, Ill.) picked up a 15-2 major decision at 197, and
Jackson Schichel (Sr. - Hastings, Minn.) closed out the dual with a win by injury default in the heavyweight class.
The Blugolds have now won 10 consecutive duals and haven't lost since December 13. Prior to the 2017-18 season, the Blugolds had four seasons in program history with double-digit dual victories. Including this season and the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season, they've had four 10-plus win performances in the last seven years.
UW-Eau Claire is next in action at the Pete Willson Wheaton Invitational in Wheaton, Ill., on January 26-27. The Blugolds' next dual is scheduled for February 9 at home against UW-Stevens Point.
