FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Media Relations

SOMERS, Wis. (Nov. 14, 2013)-- The University of Wisconsin-Parkside wrestling squad preps for a pair of duals against in-state foes, taking on the University of Wisconsin on Friday night in Whitewater, Wis., before hosting the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Wednesday night.

The Rangers and Badgers hit the mat at 6 p.m. on Friday in Whitewater while the Rangers and Pointers square off inside DeSimone Gymnasium on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

About the Rangers: UW-Parkside (0-0) won five weight classes last Saturday at the UW-Stevens Point Open to begin the 2013-2014 season. Ronzel Darling won the weight class title at 125-pounds while Joseph Her won at 133, Blaine Conner at 184, 2013 All-American Davien Willis at 197 and Brady Stumpf at 285.

The Rangers were 6-4 in dual matches in 2012-2013, notching wins over then-No. 1 University of Nebraska-Kearney (18-13) and No. 8 University of Findlay (26-13) on Jan. 12 at the annual Cliff Keen/NWCA Duals in Springfield, Ill.

UW-Parkside was 2-0 against in-state foes last season, downing UW-Stevens Point 25-13 on the road on Jan. 22 while reclaiming the Sake Bottle Trophy with a 22-15 win over the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Feb. 6.

UW-P has six grapplers in the preseason Division II regional weight class rankings. Willis ranks first in Region 2 at 197-pounds while Josh Anthony is second at 174, Jake Papke is sixth at 125 while Dan Argueta (157), Nick Fishback (165) and Blaine Conner (184) all rank eighth in their respective weight classes.

About the Badgers: Wisconsin (3-2) enters Friday ranked 23rd in the Division I Coaches' Poll. The Badgers Tyler Graff is ranked No. 2 at 133 pounds, Jese Thielke is No. 17 at 141, Isaac Jordan is No. 7 in his weight class while Jackson Hein is No. 12 at 184 and 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Connor Medbery is ranked sixth.

The Badgers rolled Cumberland University (51-0) and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (37-3) on Nov. 8 before going 1-2 at the Hokie Duals last Sunday. Wisconsin fell 24-21 to the University of North Carolina and 20-19 to Old Dominion University while defeating No. 14 University of Virginia 19-17.

About the Pointers: UW-Stevens Point (2-0) will head to Somers with two wins already under its belt. The Pointers opened the year with a 29-16 dual victory over Lakeland College on Nov. 7 before rolling Concordia University Wisconsin 34-8 on Wednesday night.

UWSP's Jamey Simmons won the 157-pound weight class at the UWSP Open last weekend, edging the Rangers' Dan Argueta 6-4 in the championship match.