"I saw some good things out there, some things that we have been working hard on in practice," said head coach Barry Davis. "Wrestle-offs are hard to talk about because it's your guys wrestling against each other. Now that they are done, and we have the lineup we can work on more things and improve before the season starts."
The action started out with a highly anticipated match as junior Collin Cudd (River falls, Wis.) took on freshman Aaron Hart (St. Paris, Ohio). Cudd is a two-time NCAA qualifier at 125 lbs. while Hart came to Wisconsin after a highly decorated high school career. However, Cudd's skill and experience prevailed as the junior earned a 16-2 major decision victory.
The departure of two-time All-American Tom Clum left an opening at 133 lbs. Sophomore Zach Tanelli faced Eric Senescu, a redshirt freshman. Tanelli jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the first period and never looked back, notching a 19-6 major decision victory.
The battle for the starting position at 141 lbs. featured sophomore Jordan Crass (Medford, Wis.) and freshman Kyle Ruschell (Crittendent, Kent.). Both grapplers battled close in the first period, but Ruschell would eventually pull away, winning 11-6 after riding time.
At 149 pounds, senior-captain Tyler Turner scored four takedowns in his match against freshman Trevor Bowers to earn a 14-2 major decision victory. Fellow team captain and All-American Craig Henning (Chippew Falls, Wis.) also cruised to victory defeating Mike Metzger (Columbus, Wis.) 9-2 at 157 lbs.
The closest match of the night came at 165 lbs. as Jake Donar (Cuba City, Wis.) faced freshman Jeremy Breen (Oak Creek, Wis.). Donar, a NCAA qualifier, found himself trailing 2-1 heading into the third period. With only 10 seconds remaining, Donar earned a three-point near fall to defeat Breen, 5-2 after riding time.
Matt Maciag (Sussex, N.J.) dropped to 174 lbs. this season after seeing action last year at 184 lbs. The move proved beneficial as he earned a starting spot after beating Mike Felling (Hutchinson, Minn.) 9-3.
The only freshman to break into the lineup this season is Trevor Brandvold at 184 lbs. The River Falls, Wis., native came in as the No. 1 at 189 lbs. by Intermat, The Mat and USA Wrestling. In addition he was named Wisconsin wrestler of the year in 2006. Brandvold edged out sophomore Justin Peterson (Comstock, Wis.) 6-4.
At 197 pounds, sophomore Dallas Herbst (Winneconne, Wis.) wrapped up the competition with a pin victory over freshman Eric Buggenhagen (Franklin, Wis.). Herbst led the team in pin victories last season with 12, including two at the NCAA championships.
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