A new-look UW-Platteville wrestling team opened the season 2-2 at the Lakeland College Duals Saturday in Sheboygan.

The Pioneers fell 23-17 to host Lakeland, beat St. John's 23-21, lost 34-7 to seventh-ranked Coe and defeated St. John's #2 43-4.

Eleventh-year Coach Chris Walter had four freshmen in his lineup and was happy with what he saw.

"We did pretty well, considering our age," he said.

Freshman Vinny Alber went 4-0 on the day, including a 5-4 win over Coe's Nile Mercer, ranked ninth at 141 pounds. Freshman Dillon Potnack (149), sophomore Jesse Milks (157), sophomore Brad Zeller (184) and junior Paul Wochinski (285) all went 3-1 on the afternoon. Freshman Mike Scott was 3-0 at 197 wrestling exhibition matches.

Also Saturday, juniors Jeff Gale (133) and Ryan Higgins (149) both placed fourth in the Loras Open, which contained several NCAA Division I wrestlers at each weight.

The Pioneers open their home schedule--and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action--Thursday vs. UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m.

Lakeland 23, UW-Platteville 17
125 - David Copp (L) def. Brett Olson 14-8
133 – Kory Theil (L) def. Ross George 8-7
141- Vinny Alber (P) def. Cameron Smit 8-3
149- Dillion Pontnack (P) def. Clint Harboard 13-2
157- Jesse Milks(P) def. Jones Flok 15-5
165- Jake Frias (L) def. Aaron Konitzer 12-5
174- Calvin O’Neal(L) def. Corey Zuberbier 15-7
184-Brad Zellner (P) pins Gary Pieper 2:17
197-Paul Hartt (L) def. Michael Jackowski 14-2
HWT-Adam Sutter(L) pins Paul Wochinski 4:52

UW-Platteville 23, St. Johns 21
125-Mogie Baatar(S) def. Brett Olson 20-5
133- Tim Thompson (S) def. Ross George 11-0
141-Vinny Alber (P) pins John Shellenberger 1:55
149-Dillion Pontnack (P) def. Zach Anderson 12-3
157-Jesse Milks (P) pins Matt Baarson 2:25
165- Matt Schrupp(S) def. Aaron Konitzer 21-12
174- Randy Tietz (S) def. Corey Zuberbier 7-5
184-Brad Zellner (P) def. Tony Willaert 10-3
197-Jason Finley (S) def. Michael Jackowski 9-4
HWT-Paul Wochinski (P) def. Will Purdy 13-1


Coe College 34, UW-Platteville 7
125-Clayton Rush (C) def. Brett Olson 6-0
133- Gannon Hjeriled (C) def. Spencer Peterson 12-0
141-Vinny Alber (P) def. Niles Mercer 5-4
149- Tyler Baker (C) def. Dillion Pontnack 12-2
157- Bryan Grathus(C) pins Jesse Milks 1:00
165- Lucas Pontier(C) def. Aaron Konitzer 4-1
174- Tyler Jentz (C) def. Corey Zuberbier 6-0
184- Greg Lalla(C) def. Brad Zellner 8-2
197-Bob Kramer (S) def. Michael Jackowski  4-0
HWT-Paul Wochinski (P) def. Jared Carder 10-2

UW-Platteville 43, St. Johns 4
125- Brett Olson won (P) won by forfeit
133- Spencer Peterson (P) def. Sam Morse 17-2
141-Vinny Alber (P) won by forfeit
149- Dillion Pontnack (P) def. Roger Anderson 11-2
157-Jesse Milks (P) def. Mike Cronan 19-5
165- Dustin Raygor (S) def. Wes Mathieu 11-0
174-Cory Zuberbier (P) pins Chris Haugen 2:40
184- Brad Zellner (P) def. Tony Willaert 8-7
197-Matt Scott(P) def. Jacob Evenson 9-2
HWT- Paul Wochinski (P) won by forfeit