Whitewater, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team earned a pair of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) victories Friday at UW-Whitewater's Kris Miller Volleyball Arena in Williams Center.  The Eagles, ranked fifth on the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Poll, earned a 40-4 victory over host UW-Whitewater and a 35-3 win over UW-Platteville.  UWL improves to 4-0 overall and 4-0 in the WIAC. 

"Total team effort today," said UWL head coach Dave Malecek.  "Guys have been dealt adversity every week and they keep getting stronger and coming together as a team. So proud of their attitude and effort."

Teams in the WIAC will compete in a dual-meet schedule until February 19.  The WIAC Championship, originally scheduled to be hosted by UW-Oshkosh on February 13, has been canceled. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Upper Midwest Regional scheduled for February 26-27 at UW-Eau Claire and the NCAA Division III Championships scheduled for March 12-13 at the La Crosse Center and hosted by UWL were canceled February 3.   

UWL got out to a quick start in its win over UW-Whitewater as Tristan Jenny and Sawyer Sarbacker each earned wins by fall.  Jenny defeated Alex Barbarise at 125-pounds (1:35) while Sarbacker earned the fall over Ethan Pogorzelski at 133 (1:55). Jenny is ranked sixth on d3wrestle.com.

Tyler Shackle's win by decision (6-2) at 141-pounds over UW-Whitewater's Dakarai Clay gave UWL a 15-0 lead.  The Warhawks got on the board at 149-pounds with Jake Burford winning by major decision (9-1) over Sam Wenzel, listed as a contender on d3wrestle.com. 

UWL won the next six matches to earn the team victory.  Nolan Hertel won by major decision (14-4) at 157-pounds over Josiah Lynden followed by Grant Zamin winning by injury default (3:22) over Tommy Hoy at 165-pounds.  Zamin is ranked second in the country.  Reed Williams (174) and Connor Williams (184) earned wins by decision to make it 31-4. Reed Williams defeated fifth-ranked Jaritt Shinhoster (4-3) at 174 while Connor Williams, a contender at 174-pounds nationally, won by sudden victory (6-4) over Ryan Vedner at 184. 

Isaac Gust followed with a win by fall (4:22) over Josh Nowak at 197-pounds and Konrad Ernst earned a decision (9-2) over Dylan Uzumecki at 285.  Ernst is ranked first on d3wrestle.com. 

Versus UW-Platteville, Josh Stenger earned a forfeit at 125-pounds for a 6-0 lead. He is listed as a contender nationally at 133-pounds.  Sarbacker lost by decision (2-0) to Isaac Wiegel at 133-pounds as the Pioneers cut the deficit to 6-3. The Eagles then won the last eight matches.  Shackle won by major decision (10-2) over Luke Pradel at 141-pounds while Wenzel won by fall (1:36) over Garrett Ruckdashel at 149 to give UWL a 16-3 advantage. 

Hertel followed with a win by major decision (13-4) over Caden Fry at 157 while Zamin defeated Nathan Wynsma by decision (6-1) at 165 and Reed Williams won by decision (6-0) over Nick Dado at 174. Wynsma is ranked fourth on d3wrestle.com while Dado is listed as contender.  Connor Williams won by decision (11-9) over Jacob Sklenar.  UWL's Kalyn Jahn won by decision (9-3) over Brett Schoenerr at 197-pounds and Ernst won by decision (3-0) over Cole Knier at 285. 

UWL returns to action Friday, February 19 hosting UW-Stevens Point at 6 p.m. in the Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse.