The Pioneers’ wrestling team will be competing in the West Regional qualifying match on Feb. 28 to determine who will compete in the NCAA championships.
The team’s record so far this season is 199-235.
Head coach Michael DeRoehn is impressed with how the team has performed this season.
“We have made a lot of positive improvements as the season progressed,” DeRoehn said. “After starting 0-4 in dual meets, we finished 8-9 overall. Individually, many of our student-athletes have already surpassed their win total from previous seasons.”
Senior 174-pound Trenton Larson and junior 125-pound Cole Ferguson made a name for themselves at the WIAC wrestling championship in Oshkosh and have their eyes set on nationals in March.
“Cole beat an opponent from Whitewater in the semi-finals that he lost to at the beginning of the season and lost a double overtime nail-biter in the finals.” DeRoehn said. “Trent has continued to improve all season and this tournament was no different. It has been fun to see him rise, especially it being his senior year. Trent became the first wrestler to win a WIAC Championship for UW-P since 2010.”
Both wrestlers expressed that they were pleased with the results of conference and that they are ready for regionals.
“It feels good to make it this far,” Larson said. “The conference championship wasn’t something that was on my radar.
Ferguson explained that having a new coach this season has contributed greatly to their success.
“Personally, this has been my best season so far at UW-Platteville,” Ferguson said. “As far as the team, with the new coach, we’ve done better than we’ve done before. I’m ready for regionals.”
As far as competition for the future, DeRoehn said that it’s better for the wrestlers to focus on themselves.
“This time of the season, the toughest opponent is often yourself,” DeRohn said. “Whether at the regional or national tournament, we need to take an approach that our opponent is nameless and faceless. Regardless of the opponent, we want to focus on what we can control, which is our attitude, our effort and execution of our best skills.”
Larson explained that all of the wrestlers have a chance to perform well in the future meets.
“We compete every day and everyone has a shot,” Larson said. “Anyone can win out there; it all comes down to the work we put in and how we perform at regionals.”
Larson and Ferguson have been doing their best to prepare for their upcoming meets.
“[I’ve been] keeping my head clear,” Ferguson said. “I’ve been keeping a positive attitude, working hard, eating right and getting enough sleep as well.”
Larson added, “It comes down to refining your skills, going to practice and putting the work in.”
DeRoehn is staying positive looking forward towards the rest of the season.
“I expect Cole, Trent and the rest of the team to continue doing what they have done all season: train with purpose, have fun, score points and enjoy the fight,” DeRohn said.