GRANTHAM, Pa. / ROCHESTER, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire wrestling team hit the road for the first time this season with Blugolds competing out East at the Messiah Invitational in Pennsylvania, and others competing in Rochester, Minn. at the Yellowjacket Open. With 31 Blugolds competing between the two events, six UWEC competitors won their respective brackets and UWEC took first place at Messiah with 169.5 points.

At the Messiah Invitational, five Blugolds won their respective weight classes. Landon Church won the 149 class with three pinfalls and two decision wins. In the first place match, Church jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first period with a pair of takedowns before scoring an escape in the second and finishing with a riding time point to win 8-2. Sloan Welch was victorious in the 285 division with one pinfall, a medical forfeit, and two decision victories. Welch scored a pair of takedowns and two escapes to earn the 8-6 win. 

Ian Pepple also won his bracket, tallying three pinfalls and on tech fall. In the finals, Pepple pinned N. Kovalcik from Messiah in 4:01 to earn the top podium spot. Wyatt Unser won the 133 division with three tech falls, a major decision victory, and a pinfall in the first place match. Unser captured his first tournament win of the season in the second period with his pin at 4:47. Zak McPhee was the fifith an final Blugold to grab a weight class win as he conquered the 184 bracket with for pins. McPhee's fastest pin on the day was in the semifinals, winning in 2:40 over Messiah's E. Masood. Brady Brewick and Travis Moelter also found top-3 placements in their weight classes as they each placed third.

At the Yellowjacket Open, Gavin Hanrahan was the lone bracket winner as he recorded two tech falls, a major decision win, and a pin in the 125 quarterfinals. Clayton Solberg, Jackson Peak, and Mason Dewing all placed third in their respective brackets. 

The Blugolds will be back on the road on Saturday, November 14 when they travel to Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Match is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

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