2022 WIAC Wrestling Championship Preview

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will strive for a sixth straight title at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Wrestling Championship (presented by Culver’s). The 67th edition of the league meet will be hosted by UW-Oshkosh at Kolf Sports Center on Feb. 12.
 
The Eagles secured the 20th first-place finish in program archives a year ago, accumulating 168 points to exceed UW-Eau Claire’s second-place total of 141.50 points. UW-Oshkosh placed third with 115.50 points, UW-Stevens Point fourth with 101 and UW-Platteville fifth with 77.50.
 
UW-Whitewater ranks second on the conference’s all-time list with 17 championships, while UW-Stevens Point has won eight and UW-Oshkosh one. Former programs to win titles include: UW-River Falls (11); UW-Superior (6); UW-Stout (2); and UW-Milwaukee (1).
 
The National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division III Tournament Team Rankings distributed on Jan. 27 include the following WIAC teams: UW-La Crosse (sixth); UW-Oshkosh (11th); UW-Eau Claire (15th); UW-Stevens Point (21st); and UW-Whitewater (24th).
 
At this year’s championship, 10 individual first-place finishers will be crowned, along with a team champion. Each school will be permitted to enter two wrestlers per weight class and only the highest finishing wrestler from each institution will factor into the team scoring. Competition will begin at 9:00 am.
 
Returning individual champions from a year ago include: UW-Eau Claire’s Jake Drexler (149 pounds); UW-La Crosse’s Nolan Hertel (157 pounds) and Tyler Shackle (141 pounds); UW-Oshkosh’s Beau Yineman (197 pounds); and UW-Stevens Point’s Matt Berlin (133 pounds).
 
Berlin also secured John Peterson Wrestler of the Meet recognition a season ago and won the 133-pound crown at the 2020 championship with a runner-up finish at 141 pounds in 2019. Additional champions from the 2020 meet consisted of: UW-La Crosse’s Isaac Lahr (197 pounds); and UW-Whitewater’s Jaritt Shinhoster (174 pounds).
 
Runner-up performers from last season included: UW-Eau Claire’s Mason Hawkins (285 pounds) and Evan Lawrence (174 pounds); UW-La Crosse’s Kalyn Jahn (197 pounds); UW-Oshkosh’s AJ Schoenfuss (141 pounds); UW-Platteville’s Alexander Strueder (165 pounds) and Isaac Wiegel (133 pounds); and UW-Stevens Point’s Luke Smiley (157 pounds).
 
In 2020, four returning individuals produced runner-up finishes, including: Lawrence (174 pounds), Drexler (149 pounds); Hertel (157 pounds); and UW-Platteville’s Nathan Wynsma (165 pounds).
 
Schoenfuss and Yineman were runners-up at 125 pounds and 197 pounds, respectively, at the 2019 championship.
 
UW-Stevens Point’s Luke Smiley placed second at 149 pounds at the 2018 championship.
 
Qualification for the NCAA Division III Championship will be based on regional competition held Feb. 25-26. All six WIAC teams will compete in the Upper Midwest Regional hosted by UW-Eau Claire. The national championship will be held March 11-12 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and hosted by the American Rivers Conference.
 

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