Written by Colten Bartholomew, UW-Platteville Sports Information Intern

University of Wisconsin-Platteville sophomore 125-pound wrestler Cole Ferguson took third place at the West Regional, earning a berth to the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.

The Pioneers placed ninth out of 12 teams in the tournament overall.

After receiving a first-round bye, Ferguson continued his day with an 8-6 decision over Lakeland College's Matt Damp to move into the semifinals.

In the semis, Ferguson fell 16-3 to eventual champion Mike Fuenffinge from Augsburg.

Ferguson then swept through the consolation bracket, defeating St. John's University's John Wells 5-3 to move into the third-place match, where he defeated Concordia-Moorhead's Gabe Foltz 7-4.

Ferguson follows Tyler Henken (2013), T.J. Wunnicke (2012) and Mack Drees (2011) as Pioneers qualifying for the national championship tournament.

Sophomore Dylan DeShane placed fourth in the 184-pound bracket, falling in the third-place match 10-0.

Sophomore Mason Bohm placed fifth at 141 pounds, winning the fifth-place match with a first-round pin.