Warhawks' Quick Start Leads To Win Over Titans

Nationally ranked UW-Whitewater won five of the first six bouts en route to a 26-18 victory over the UW-Oshkosh wrestling team on Thursday (Nov. 7) in Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater (1-0) captured the contest's first bout as All-American Mike Tortorice defeated Denis Murphy, 19-2, at 125 pounds. Tortorice won the WIAC title and finished second at the NCAA Division III Championship in the 125-pound weight class a year ago.

UW-Oshkosh's only lead of the match came in the next bout as AJ Schoenfuss gave the Titans a 6-5 advantage with his pin of Josiah Lynden in 2:19 at 133 pounds.

UW-Whitewater, ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, then won the next four bouts to take a 22-6 lead.

The Warhawks' string of victories began with Hazen Rice's pin of Eli Mondrella in 3:31 at 141 pounds. Devin Tortorice followed with an 11-1 victory over Keagan Lazar at 149 pounds before Thomas Czernek defeated Nate Arquinego, 13-6, at 157 and Ryder Sigler ousted Devin Keast, 14-0, at 165.

UW-Oshkosh sliced UW-Whitewater's lead to 22-15 with wins in the next two bouts by Jordan Blanchard at 174 pounds and Bryce Herlache at 184. Blanchard edged Ryan Vedner, 6-5, while Herlache pinned Josh Nowak in 1:48.

The Warhawks then secured their dual meet win with Jaritt Shinhoster's 9-1 victory over Colten Cashmore at 197 pounds.

UW-Oshkosh ended the match with Jordan Lemcke's 4-1 result over Dylan Uzumecki at 285 pounds.

The Titans commence their home schedule by hosting the 17th Annual Dan Gable Open on Saturday (Nov. 9) in Kolf Sports Center.

Photo courtesy of Michael McLoone