2008 Woodie Awards
'Hawks pin Pioneers in time for WIAC Tourney
Mike Daly
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Sports
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The 'Hawks dominated UW-Platteville Friday night in the Kachel Gymnasium, taking eight of 10 matches en route to a 30-8 triumph. The win lifted the 'Hawks to 11-9 on the season and 4-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
UW-Whitewater's Pat Nagel, ranked No. 8 in the nation at 165 pounds, overcame a sluggish start to pick up his team-leading 26th win of the season in an 11-3 major decision over UW-Platteville's Carsten Carlsen.
"It took about a minute for me to find my groove out there, but when I started to get going I felt pretty good," Nagel said.
In the 149-pound match, Warhawk Matt Schuck notched the only pin of the evening as he stuck UW-Platteville's Matt McGill at the 4:19 mark.
"I'm pretty good on top usually," Schuck said. "I feel pretty confident once I get on top that I can work those turns."
Although none of Schuck's teammates were able to duplicate the feat, they were relentless on the mat all night. UW-Whitewater's Max Oldenburg set the tone in the first match at 125 pounds, logging over two minutes of riding time.
"We've worked on [riding] the whole year," Nagel said. "It's been one of our weaker points, but we're starting to get a little stronger now."
With the WIAC tournament set for Sunday at Lawrence University in Appleton, UW-Whitewater has its hopes set high.
"Individually I want to win conference, and without a doubt I want to qualify for nationals," Nagel said. "I've put myself in a pretty good position to do that."
To earn a WIAC title, Nagel will likely have to go through UW-La Crosse senior Tim Palmer, who is ranked No. 1 in the nation. UW-La Crosse (21-2 overall, 6-0 WIAC) is a heavy favorite for the team title, as it boasts a top 10 wrestler in five different weight classes.
Despite falling to UW-La Crosse 32-9 on Dec. 12, Nagel believed the performance against UW-Platteville gave the 'Hawks a shot of momentum.
"It helps the overall confidence," Nagel said. "Coming off a big conference win, I hope it stays through the tournament, and I think it will. I feel like the guys got their heads on straight."
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