Wisconsin wrestling announces 2015-16 schedule

[TomM]

Wisconsin wrestling announces 2015-16 schedule
Badgers will host five home matches at UW Field House

http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/072915aaa.html

MADISON, Wis. — The likes of NCAA and Big Ten champions are on slate for the Wisconsin wrestling team, which released its 2015-16 schedule Wednesday.

The Badgers will offer five opportunities to watch the team compete firsthand with five home meets scheduled in Madison. Things get underway at the UW Field House when Wisconsin hosts UW-Whitewater on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CT.

"This year's going to be more exciting," UW head coach Barry Davis said. "We have four Big Ten dual meets and a non-conference meet at home. It gives our fans the chance to see us two more times than last year."

Wisconsin travels east for the Michigan State Open on Nov. 15 before heading to the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Maryland, on Nov. 21. Last season, the Badgers finished in fourth place at the Navy Classic with 105 points. 2015 Big Ten Champion and All-American Isaac Jordan took first place at 165 lbs. in the Navy Classic, while UW's other returning All-American, Ryan Taylor, finished runner-up at 133 lbs. NCAA qualifier Ricky Robertson also clinched a title in the 184 lbs. weight class at last year's Navy Classic.

Following the 2015 Navy Classic, the Badgers will compete at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, Dec. 4-5. It will mark the first time UW has competed at the invitational since the 2012-13 season when it finished in 10th place with 32.5 points.

The Badgers compete with Pittsburgh at the Fitzgerald Field House on Dec. 11 before taking on their first Big Ten opponent on the road at Penn State on Dec. 13.

After a strong run at Midlands last season, the Badgers will return to Evanston, Illinois, on Dec. 29-30 and look to have even more success in 2015-16. At last season's 52nd annual Midlands Championships, five Badgers earned top-eight finishes and boosted UW to a seventh-place finish with 80.5 points.

Wisconsin opens up a new year with a home dual against Nebraska on Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. The Badgers travel for duals against Rutgers and Maryland on Jan. 22 and Jan. 24, respectively.

UW closes out its home season with a 12 p.m. match against Illinois on Jan. 31, followed by a 12 p.m. match against Minnesota on Feb. 7.

Wisconsin will face Big Ten champions Ohio State on Feb. 12 at St. John's Arena in Columbus, Ohio, the site of where Jordan claimed his first-ever Big Ten championship over OSU's Bo Jordan.

The Badgers close out their regular season in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, against Central Michigan on Feb. 18.

Postseason begins with the 2016 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which will take place March 5-6 and be hosted by the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The 2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships will be held in New York City, March 17-19.

2015 WISCONSIN WRESTLING SCHEDULE
November 12 UW-Whitewater 7 p.m.
January 8 NEBRASKA 7 p.m.
December 11 at Pittsburgh TBD
November 21 Navy Classic All Day
January 22 at Rutgers 6 p.m.
January 31 ILLINOIS 12 p.m.
December 29-30 Midlands All Day
November 15 MSU Open All Day
TBD IOWA 7 p.m.
December 4-5 Cliff Keen Invite All Day
January 24 at Maryland 11 a.m.
December 13 at Penn State 12 p.m.
March 5-6 Big Ten Championship All Day
March 17-19 NCAA Championships All Day
February 12 at Ohio State 6 p.m.
February 7 MINNESOTA 12 p.m.
February 18 at Central Michigan 6 p.m.

Kelli Grashel
Athletic Communications Assistant | University of Wisconsin
Softball, Wrestling, W Basketball, Football
Office - 608-262-8216 | Cell - 608-445-4086