UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-LA CROSSE ATHLETICS

Wheaton, Ill. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse wrestling team is in sixth-place after the first day of competition at the Pete Willson Wheaton Invitational. The Eagles have 43.0 team points while UW-Parkside leads the standings with 101.5 points.

Elmhurst College, Ill. is in second (54.5) while UW-Platteville and North Central College, Ill. are tied for third (48.0). Heidelberg University, Ohio is fifth (47.0). A total of 30 teams have scored points.

The Eagles' Mike Schmitz (174-pounds) and Dan Laurent (285) advanced to Saturday's semifinals. Second-seeded Schmitz defeated David Kneisel of Chicago by major decision (12-0) and Corey Zuberbier of UW-Platteville by fall (2:34) to reach the quarterfinals. He then won by decision (6-1) over seventh-seed Danial Johnhenry of Heidelberg to advance to the semifinals.

Laurent is the top-seed at 285-pounds and after receiving a first round bye, he won by technical fall (18-2, 7:00) over Justin Southwick of Ohio Northern. Laurent won by major decision (8-0) over Dylan Forbes of Trine in Friday's quarterfinals.

UW-L's Albie McKinney (125), Alex Dahl (141), Ryan Farwell (157), Brenden Faust (184) and John Poppie (197) will all compete in Saturday's consolation round.

McKinney received a first round bye and then defeated Justin Fleeson of Olivet by technical fall (16-0, 4:22). He fell to third-seeded Alex Johns of Indianapolis in the quartefinals.

Dahl went 2-1 Friday, defeating Trey Weliver of Indianapolis by decision (4-1) and seventh-seed Josh Malave of Mt. Union in overtime (3-1). He then fell by technical fall (18-3, 5:17) to second-seed Jake Strausbaugh of Wabash in the quarterfinals. 

Farwell won by major decision (11-1) over Andy Bader of Truman State and Jim Layton of Chicago by decision (4-3) before losing by technical fall (16-0, 5:57) to second-seeded Luke Miller of Ohio Northern.

Faust lost to fifth-seeded Justin Marble of Wheaton by decision (10-7), but defeated Tim Stewart of Messiah by decision (8-7) and Matt Scott of UW-Platteville by technical fall (19-3, 7:00).

Poppie opened with a victory by decision (11-5) over Sean Brooks of Mount St. Joseph, before losing to fourth-seed Bill Meaney of Elizabeth by decision (12-8). He won by decision (6-2) over Hunter Feraco of Augustana and by fall (4:53) over Aaron Sullenger of Olivet in the consolation bracket.

The Eagles' Jonny Brennan (133) and Bobby Dorn (149) were eliminated in Friday's competition. Brennan had a first-round bye before losing to top-seeded Nathan Fitzenreider of North Central by fall (4:42). He came back to defeat Rob Frias of Lakeland by major decision (16-6) in the consolation bracket., but was eliminated by eighth-seeded Ryan Banning of Truman State by decision (9-2).

Dorn opened with a loss to seventh-seed Mick Letcher of Ohio Northern by decision (9-4), but defeated Spencer Peterson of UW-Platteville by technical fall (17-0, 5:00) and Drew Winegar of Elizabeth by decision (7-2). Dorn was eliminated with a loss by fall (1:31) to Andrew Johnson of Heidelberg.

Action continues at 9 a.m. Saturday.