UW-L Wins Eight Matches in Victory over UW-Eau Claire

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009

La Crosse, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team finished its 2008-09 home schedule with a 35-7 victory over UW-Eau Claire Tuesday night in Mitchell Hall. The Eagles, ranked 11th in the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), improve to 18-6 overall and 5-1 in the WIAC while the Blugolds fall to 5-10 overall and 1-3 in the conference. It is UW-L's 23rd straight dual win over UW-Eau Claire.

UW-L won eight of the 10 matches Tuesday night. Albie McKinney earned a victory by forfeit at 125-pounds to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead. Andy Miller cut the lead to 6-4 for UW-Eau Claire with a win by major decision (11-2) over Pat Parrillo at 133.

The Eagles' Kevin Barber won by fall (3:57) over Zach Weisenberger at 141 to make it 12-4 before fourth-ranked Matt Mauseth gave UW-L a 15-4 lead with a win by decision (12-6) over Andy Johnston at 149-pounds. Ryan Farwell earned a win by decision (5-2) over UW-Eau Claire's Jon Ames at 157 for a 18-4 UW-L lead.

Seth Hendricks picked up a win by decision (6-5) at 165-pounds for UW-Eau Claire over UW-L's Jeff Erkel to cut the match to 18-7.

UW-L then won the final four matches, including three victories by ranked wrestlers. Mike Schmitz won by major decision (13-3) over Keith Dawson at 174-pounds to make it 22-7. The Eagles' Josh Zabel (184), Andy Moore (197) and Dan Laurent (285), all ranked seventh in NCAA Division III, won the final three matches. Zabel won by fall (2:00) over Robbie Zube, Moore won by decision (3-1) over fourth-ranked Josh Holforty and Laurent won by major decision (16-3) over Joe Pitsch.

UW-L returns to action Friday, Jan. 30 at the Pete Willson Wheaton (Ill.) Invite.