Issued: February 22, 2004

BLUGOLD WRESTLERS TAKE FOURTH AT WIAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHITEWATER - Derek Sikora (So.-Neillsville) took first place at 165 pounds to lead the UW-Eau Claire wrestling team to a fourth place finish out of seven teams in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships held here today at the Kachel Gym.

The top-seeded Sikora won his opening round match 12-3 and advanced to the championship match with an 11-3 win. Sikora defeated La Crosse's Corey Day 9-4 in the championship to become the first Blugold to win the championship at 165 pounds. Sikora runs his record to 23-5 setting a career-high in wins.

Third-seeded Nick Campbell (Sr.-Eden Prairie, MN/Maple Grove) earned a pin fall victory in his opening match at 197 pounds. Campbell followed it up with a 25-second pin fall win over the nationally ranked Jim Swanson of La Crosse to advance to the finals. Campbell lost 3-1 to top-seeded and two-time defending champion Yan White of Stevens Point in the championship.

Campbell earned his third win of the day with an 11-2 win over Platteville's Tom Venner in a wrestle-back to match his career-high with 19 wins on the year to go with only five losses.

Second-seeded Dave Vanevenhoven (So.-Kaukauna) opened up with a 7-3 win at 149 pounds and advanced to the finals with a 2-0 victory. Vanevenhoven was pinned in the finals to run his record to 24-12.

Fourth-seeded Troy Seubert (Sr.-Maple Grove, MN) won his opening round match 6-3 but fell to top-seeded and eventual champion Jason Luloff in the second round. Seubert won 6-1 and 7-4 in the consolation bracket to finish third overall at 184 pounds.

UW-La Crosse finished first with 138.5 points to win the championship for the seventh consecutive year. UW-Stevens Point finished second with 118.5 points followed by UW-Whitewater with 104 and Eau Claire with 75.5.

Whitewater's Ross Babcock was named Wrestler of the Meet with his first place finish at 149 pounds despite being the fifth seed. Whitewater's Willie Myers was named Coach of the Year while La Crosse's Troy Fabry was given the Max Sparger Scholar Athlete Award.

Complete Results