DECORAH, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team was one of 21 teams competing Saturday at the Luther College Open. The Pioneers tallied five place finishes in the Elite brackets and five place finishes in the Silver brackets. 

Sophomore Nolan McKittrick advanced to the Elite 125 pounds first place bout after three decisions (10-6, 6-2, 9-3), but fell by injury default (3:00).  

Senior Zach Thompson finished third in the Elite bracket at 133 pounds. Thompson won the final match by a 2-0 decision and stacked up major decisions of 12-2 and 12-4 en route to his final match of the day. 

Wrestlers who also placed in the Elite brackets include sophomore Tyler Hannah who finished fifth at 197 pounds, senior Brett Schoenherr who finished seventh at 285 and senior Brock Parker who finished eighth at 149 pounds.  Hannah pinned his first opponent of the day (6:51) as did Schoenherr (4:18) and Parker tallied back-to-back pins (2:41, 4:42). 

Freshman Maddux Blakely registered the sole first place finish for UW-Platteville, claiming the 141 title in the Silver bracket. Blakely opened the day with a win by 18-3 technical fall. The Pioneer pinned the next two opponents (1:57, 6:29) before winning by 9-4 decision in the first place bout. 

Freshman Kasey Ross advanced to the third place match where he fell by a 3-0 decision. Prior to the final bout, Ross won by a 4-2 decision and next by a 3-1 decision in the second sudden victory. The Pioneer then fell in sudden victory in the semifinal but rallied and advanced to the third place match after a 13-4 major decision. 

The three Pioneers who rounded out the place finishes were freshman Aiden Brosinski (157), freshman Cal Ries (184) and freshman Wyatt Ripp (285) who all finished seventh in their respected weight classes. 

UW-Platteville will return to action next Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Olivet Duals with wrestling scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.