MADISON, Wis. — No. 18 Wisconsin kicked off the 2023-24 season with a dominating 41-4 win over Lindenwood on Sunday afternoon in the UW Field House.

Wisconsin won nine straight bouts, taking a commanding 41-0 lead but could not complete the sweep in the last match. New additions including freshman Zan Fugitt and transfers Luke Mechler and Shane Liegel made their Wisconsin debuts, and all secured wins. 

Wrestling for the first time since the 2021-22 season, Cale Anderson shared the team's appreciation for the season-opening victory.

"I just went out there with gratitude and took in the moment," Anderson said. "I just wrestled to the best of my ability, focused on my attacks and I felt it went to plan. Just gratitude for sure."

Nine out of ten Wisconsin wrestlers picked up wins. Fifth-ranked Eric Barnett and Mechler both won by fall. Three Badgers won by technical falls including Joseph Zargo, No. 4 Dean Hamiti and Liegel. True freshman Fugitt won by major decision 17-3 and Felix Lettini and Michael Talshahar won by decision. 

Wisconsin head coach Chris Bono credited the team for their hard work in earning the victory.

"We've got a good group of guys in our room that have a lot to prove and that's what I'm excited about," Bono said. "That's a dangerous team and we're excited that we're going into every single match as the underdog. None of these guys have anything to lose. Those are dangerous dogs and that's the mentality that we're taking this year.

"We appreciate everybody out there we had a great crowd today. Keep supporting us. These guys are going to wrestle hard, it's going to be a fun year"

Next up: The Badgers will now shift their focus to the Michigan State Open as they are sending the full roster to wrestle on Saturday, November 11 in East Lansing, Mich. The Badgers return to dual competition on the road against Iowa State in Humboldt, Iowa on Nov. 19. The dual match will be held at Humboldt High School and streamed live on UFC Fightpass.

FINAL RESULTS

#18 WISCONSIN 41, LINDENWOOD 4 - NOV. 5, 2023 | MADISON, WIS.
125     #5 Eric Barnett (WIS) over Austin Kegley (LIN), Fall 2:14 | 6-0
133     Zan Fugitt (WIS) over Caiden Pelc (LIN), Major Dec. 17-3  | 10-0
141     Felix Lettini (WIS) over Ben Bohr (LIN), Dec. 9-4 | 13-0
149     #16 Joseph Zargo (WIS) over Cruz Lara (LIN), Tech. Fall 17-2 3:00 | 18-0
157     Luke Mechler (WIS) over Logan Johnson (LIN), Fall 0:50 | 24-0
165     #4 Dean Hamiti (WIS) over Zack Rackers (LIN), Tech. Fall 19-3 3:22  | 29-0
174     Cale Anderson (WIS) over Kaden Charboneau (LIN), Major Dec. 17-5 | 33-0
184     Shane Liegel (WIS) over Luke Shaver (LIN), Tech. Fall 17-2 5:30 | 38-0
197     Michael Talshahar (WIS) over Ryan Golnick (LIN), Dec. 5-1 | 41-0
285     David Hernandez (LIN) over Peter Christensen (WIS), Major Dec. 17-2 | 41-4
Team rankings NWCA for Oct. 31, 2023
Individual rankings Intermat for Oct. 31, 2023
Attendance: 1,140