The second-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team earned victories in six of 10 matches Wednesday night to earn a 24-14 win over Division II UW-Parkside in a non-conference dual at DeSimone Gymnasium in Somers, Wis.
 
The Warhawks (15-1 overall) won three of the first four matches and didn't look back to pick up their second consecutive Sake Bottle trophy against the Rangers (4-3).
 
Freshman Connor Price (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) posted the lone pin of the night for UW-Whitewater, putting Zach Noel to the mat just over a minute into the first period at 165 pounds.
 
Juniors Jimmy Nehls (Downers Grove, IL/North), Shane Siefert (Mundelein, IL/Carmel) and freshman Isaiah Vela (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles East) turned in major decisions for the Warhawks.
 
Nehls, an All-American at 133 pounds a season ago, registered a 14-0 triumph at 141 pounds. Siefert, currently ranked as the No. 1 wrestler in Division III at 197 pounds, soundly defeated Jake Armellani 16-4. At 157, Vela jumped out to an 11-3 advantage through two periods and knocked off Brandt Welcher 18-5.
 
Sophomores Zac Denny (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) and Tayler Hildebrandt (Genoa City/Lake Geneva Badger) were also winners. Denny held onto a one-point lead in the third period to defeat Ronzel Darling 3-2 at 125 pounds. Hildebrandt broke a 2-2 tie in the third period to finish a 4-2 triumph over Mike Romanelli at 184 pounds.
 
Former UW-Whitewater head coach Willie Myers  and former UW-Parkside head coach Jim Koch started the Sake Bottle tradition after sharing an international wrestling experience. As members of the NAIA All-State Team, Myers and Koch toured Japan and Korea in 1975. The Sake Bottle was given to the two coaches by Mr. Hatta, the former president of Japanese Wrestling, and made into a trophy that is given to the winning team of the annual dual.
 
The Warhawks continue action this Saturday at the Blugold Open. Competition is slated to begin at 9 a.m. in Eau Claire, Wis.
 
No. 2 UW-Whitewater 24, UW-Parkside 14
(in order of competition)
184: T. Hildebrandt (UW-Whitewater) d. Mike Romanelli (UW-Parkside) by decision, 4-2
197: S. Siefert (UW-Whitewater) d. Jake Armellani (UW-Parkside) by major decision, 16-4
285: Matt Halverson (UW-Parkside) d. J. Andersen (UW-Whitewater) by decision, 5-3
125: Z. Denny (UW-Whitewater) d. Ronzel Darling (UW-Platteville) by decision, 3-2
133: Joseph Her (UW-Parkside) d. A. Quartullo (UW-Whitewater) by decision, 5-3 (OT1)
141: J. Nehls (UW-Whitewater) d. Jake Papke (UW-Parkside) by major decision, 14-0
149: Aaron Heidersheid (UW-Parkside) d. C. Crangle (UW-Whitewater) by major decision, 16-8
157: I. Vela (UW-Whitewater) d. Brandt Welcher (UW-Parkside) by major decision, 18-5
165: C. Price (UW-Whitewater) d. Zach Noel (UW-Parkside) by pin, 1:25
174: Brett Scoles (UW-Parkside) d. G. Gonzalez (UW-Whitewater) by major decision, 14-4