By: Shawn Poole

The No. 13 ranked Warhawks wrestling team had a big challenge ahead of them, with No. 6 ranked UW-Stevens Point Pointers coming into town Tuesday night. Both teams entered the night undefeated in WIAC play. The ’Hawks won the match 26-15 and clinched the regular season WIAC title. This is the first time in the 2000’s the ’Hawks have swept the WIAC regular season.

“Stevens Point had some pieces missing, we had some pieces missing,” Warhawks head coach Tim Fader said. “It’s nice to do this and we are excited about this, but there is a more important time of the year coming up.”

An exciting match in the 197-pound category between Warhawk  Shane Siefert and Pointer Dustin Wozniak came down to the final seconds. Siefert had the lead, 5-3, in the third and final period, but Wozniak scored a takedown and a penalty point with less than 0:15 remaining to secure the win.

The final match of the evening saw Warhawk Anthony Edgren taking on Jordan Koranda in the 285-pound class. Edgren defeated Koranda 5-2, clinching the meet for the ’Hawks.

“I have a lot more work to do, get my feet moving a lot more; I mean we went scoreless until the second period,” Edgren said. “If I could steal one in the first period, that would be huge confidence-wise and score-wise.”

Senior Jake Fredrickson (141 lbs.) and junior Tyler Becker (165 lbs.), ranked fifth and seventh in their weight classes nationally by d3wrestle.com, won matches for the ’Hawks. Becker pinned his opponent, Jordan Schulte, who is ranked tenth nationally in the 165 lbs. weight class.

Coach Fader said the team this year has a lot of work to do before comparisons to last season’s team can be made.

“We’re not at that level yet,” he said. “We just have a lot of work to do to get there and be at our best.”

UW-Whitewater will be at it again Friday and Saturday, in Wheaton, Ill. at the Wheaton Invitational.