UW-Whitewater junior Austin Bautista (Des Plaines, IL/Maine East) proved that he is number one.  He is number one in the Concordia University (WI) Open, winning his 141 pound class, and he proved his number one ranking at the weight class in Division III of the NCAA by defeating Zach McKray of Wartburg College, ranked second in Division III, 4-2 in the tourney's championship match.

tournament results

Bautista went 5-0 in the tournament, including two technical falls and an 11-0 win.  Bautista is 8-0 this season.

Four other Warhawks placed in the top five in the large field that included Division III teams from throughout the upper midwest.  Sean Evans (Richmond, IL/Richmond Burton) wrestled six times in the meet, going 5-1 to finish third in the 285 pound class.  Sean Pietrzyk (Salina, KS/Salina South) added another third place finish, at 184 pounds,  Pietrzyk was pinned in his first match, but came back to win five of his next six matches by fall to capture third place.

Pietrzyk defeated UW-W teammate David Casper (Westby/Westby) for third at 184, with Casper going 5-2 at Concordia.  Jake Fredrickson (Woodstock, IL/Woodstock) also racked up an impressive record, going 6-2, to finish fifth at 125 pounds for the Warhawks.

UW-W's next competition will be at home, hosting UW-Eau Claire Thursday, December 4 at 7:00 in Williams Center.

For additional information:  Tim Fader, UW-W coach