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Issued: January 10, 2007

BLUGOLDS RALLY FOR WRESTLING WIN OVER PLATTEVILLE

EAU CLAIRE - Down 18-3 after five matches, the UW-Eau Claire wrestling team got a pin from Justin McAuly (Sr.-Clintonville) in the final match to defeat UW-Platteville, 22-18, in the McPhee Physical Education Center Wednesday night.

The win kept the Blugolds as the only undefeated Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team at 3-0. The Blugolds had previously downed UW-Whitewater and Lawrence. They are 8-2 in dual meets on the season.

Platteville, which owned a 25-21 decision over defending conference champion UW-La Crosse, is 1-3 in WIAC duals and 5-4 overall.

McAuly, wrestling up this year after placing second in the conference at 197 pounds last year, found himself on his back in the second period against Ryan Rozek, an NCAA national qualifier last year. But he managed a reversal after the 2-point near fall and went on to pin Rozek in 4:35. Last year, it was Rozek who gained a pin in the final match to give Platteville a 24-22 win over the Blugolds.

The Blugolds had to win several other close matches in order to gain the win this year. Sophomore Josh Kasuboski (Wautoma) was on his back in the second period against Matt Bestcha but came back with a four-point move in the final period to notch a 9-8 triumph at 194 pounds.

Andy Miller (So.-Appleton/North) used a third period reversal to gain a 3-2 triumph over Jeff Gale at 133 pounds.

Platteville’s Brad Zellner had a 2-point near fall against Blugold Joey Miller (Jr.-Lake Tomahawk/Lakeland) in a wild third period before Miller pulled out a 15-9 victory at 174 pounds. Miller and senior Lance Valiquette (Auburn, WA) both recorded their team-best 14th wins of the season. Miller is 14-4 while Valiquette, a 165-pounder, is 14-6.

The Blugolds head to Oshkosh this weekend to participate in the Oshkosh Open. They will make their final home appearance with a dual meet and invitational the weekend of Feb. 2-3.

Eau Claire 22, Platteville 18

125 – Spencer Peterson (PL) won by forfeit
133 – Andy Miller (EC) decisioned Jeff Gale, 3-2
141 – Zach Chambers (PL) technical pin over Andrew Johnston
149 – Ryan Higgins (PL) major decision over Dave Vanevenhoven
157 – Jesse Milks (PL) decisioned Pat Senzig, 6-3
165 – Lance Valiquette (EC) major decision over Cory Zuberbrier, 12-3
174 – Joey Miller (EC) decisioned Brad Zellner, 15-9
184 – Josh Kasuboski (EC) decisioned Matt Bestcha, 9-8
197 – Josh Holforty (EC) decisioned Scott Nicholas, 9-3
HWT – Justin McAuly (EC) pinned Ryan Rozek in 4:35

- TP -

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