The No. 5 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team opened the 2019-20 season Thursday night with a 26-18 victory over UW-Oshkosh in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference dual at Kachel Gymnasium.
 
The Warhawks (1-0 overall, 1-0 WIAC) claimed five of the first six matches and didn't look back, taking the lead for good on a second-period pin by senior Hazen Rice (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg), who is ranked 10th at 141 pounds by D3wrestle.com.
 
Senior Mike Tortorice (Wauconda, Ill./Carmel), ranked No. 1 in the nation by D3wrestle.com, was first on the board with a 19-2 technical fall at the 5:00 mark over Denis Murphy at 125 pounds.
 
After Rice's pin, senior Devin Tortorice (Wauconda, Ill./Carmel) increased UW-Whitewater's lead to 15-6 with an 11-1 major decision at 149 pounds. Making his collegiate debut, freshman Thomas Czernek (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) built on the Warhawk lead with a 13-6 decision at 157 pounds.
 
Senior Ryder Sigler (Fredonia, Wis./Cedarburg) earned a 14-0 major decision at 165 pounds to make it 22-6.
 
The Titans (0-1, 0-1) claimed the next two matches before sophomore Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington), wrestling two slots above his normal weight class, bested Colten Cashmore by a 9-1 major decision at 197 pounds.
 
UW-Whitewater resumes dual action this Saturday at Division II Parkside. Match time is slated for 2 p.m. in the annual Sake Bottle Battle.
 
See below for complete results from Thursday's dual.
 
No. 5 UW-Whitewater 26, UW-Oshkosh 18
 
125: Mike Tortorice (Wauconda, Ill./Carmel) (UWW) d. Denis Murphy (UWO) by technical fall, 19-2 (5:00)
133: AJ Schoenfuss (UWO) d. Josiah Lynden (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) (UWW) by fall, 2:19
141: Hazen Rice (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) (UWW) d. Eli Mondrella (UWO) by fall, 3:31
149: Devin Tortorice (Wauconda, Ill./Carmel) (UWW) d. Keagan Lazar (UWO) by major decision, 11-1
157: Thomas Czernek (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) (UWW) d. Nate Arquinego (UWO) by decision, 13-6
165: Ryder Sigler (Fredonia, Wis./Cedarburg) (UWW) d. Devin Keast (UWO) by major decision, 14-0
174: Jordan Blanchard (UWO) d. Ryan Vedner (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect) (UWW) by decision, 6-5
184: Bryce Herlache (UWO) d. Josh Nowak (Dousman, Wis./Kettle Moraine) (UWW) by fall, 1:48
197: Jaritt Shinhoster (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Barrington) (UWW) d. Colten Cashmore (UWO) by major decision, 9-1
285: Jordan Lemcke (UWO) d. Dylan Uzumecki (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) (UWW) by decision, 4-1