Strong Finish Helps Warhawks Defeat Titans

UW-Oshkosh was held to just two victories, wins by Jake Stritesky and Nate Stokhaug, during its 32-11 wrestling loss to UW-Whitewater on Friday (Dec. 10) in Whitewater.

Friday's match involved a pair of nationally ranked programs as UW-Oshkosh entered the contest ranked 13th in the NCAA Division III by the National Wrestling Coaches Association and UW-Whitewater 18th.

UW-Whitewater (6-1, 1-1 WIAC) broke an 11-11 tie by winning the final five bouts of the match, including two by fall. The Warhawks won eight of the 10 bouts overall.

Stritesky, competing at 133 pounds, gave UW-Oshkosh (6-1, 2-1 WIAC) a 6-3 lead with his pin of John Fortugno in 1:48. Stritesky improved his season record to 11-4 (5 pins) with the victory.

Stokhaug created an 11-11 tie with his 16-1 (5:49) decision over Ty Miller at 157 pounds. The win improved Stokhaug's record to 10-6 (4 pins) on the year.

UW-Whitewater's Tyler Klein started the match by posting a narrow 3-2 victory over Luc Valdez at 125 pounds.

Following a win by Stritesky, UW-Whitewater obtained consecutive victories from Dakarai Clay at 141 pounds and Jake Burford at 149. Clay defeated AJ Schoenfuss, 13-4, while Burford ousted Eli Mondrella, 12-3.

After Stokhaug's victory tied the score, UW-Whitewater gradually pulled away. The Warhawks took a 14-11 lead on Tommy Hoy's 3-2 win over Muzi Sitshela at 165 pounds and a 17-11 advantage on Ryan Vedner's 14-8 triumph over Bryant Schaaf at 174.

The Warhawks closed the match with three more wins, including pins by Jaritt Shinhoster at 184 pounds and Cadin Koeppel at 285. Shinhoster ended his bout with Tyler Blanchard in 25 seconds while Koeppel finished his contest with Guyon Cyprian in 2:59.

UW-Whitewater also received an 8-2 victory from Chad Richards over Patrick Curran at 197 pounds.

UW-Oshkosh wrestles 12th-ranked University of Chicago (Ill.) on Thursday (Dec. 16) in Chicago