LOUISVILLE, KY. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team finished 1-2 after the first day of competition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals in the Kentucky Exposition Center. The #14 ranked Pioneers' two losses fell to pair of fellow ranked opponents, #7 ranked Wabash College and #17 ranked Castleton University.
The Pioneers entered the tournament as the #11 seed and opened the day with a 36-10 victory over #22 seed Wilkes University in the preliminary round to determine placement in the NCAA DIII bracket. UW-Platteville put together a dominate performance which included three pins by freshman Aiden Brosinski (157), senior Nathan Wynsma (174) and senior Brett Schoenherr (285) along with a tech fall by freshmen Kasey Ross in the 184-pound match and a major decision by senior Zach Licht at 133 pounds. The Pioneers won the final seven matches of the dual and the victory placed them against the #6 seed, Wabash.
Licht's 17-4 major decision tied the Wabash dual 4-4 after two matches, but the Little Giants reclaimed the lead, jumping out to a 13-4 advantage after the 149-pound match. Brosinski pulled out a 5-2 decision at 157 pounds to narrow the Pioneers' deficit to 13-7. The teams exchanged decisions until sophomore Tyler Hannah's 10-2 major decision in the 197-pound match kept the Pioneers alive, trailing 19-14 with one bout remaining. Schoenherr ultimately fell 11-1 to #2 nationally ranked Jack Heldt.
UW-Platteville moved to the left side of the bracket and had a short turnaround before they faced off against Castleton. Back-to-back pins along with a major decision early on meant the Pioneers had to overcome a 19-0 deficit. Brosinski came in clutch again and a 14-2 major decision gave the Pioneers the needed spark at the midpoint of the dual. Wynsma added another major with a 15-6 decision and Ross' 8-1 decision cut Castleton's lead to 22-11 with two matches remaining. Hannah's 3-0 decision was followed up with a 14-6 major decision in favor of Schoenherr, allowing Castleton to survive the Pioneers' rally 22-18.
Brosinski, Wynsma and Hannah each kept a clean slate on day one of competition while both Brosinski and Wynsma finished the day with a pin and major decision on the scoresheet.
The Pioneers will face off against Millikin University Saturday morning at 8 a.m. CST as they compete in the 13-16 place bracket.
