The UW Oshkosh wrestling team established an early nine-point lead as the Titans defeated UW-Stevens Point, 24-16, on Nov. 20 to claim their second conference win of the season.

The Titans are now 2-0 overall and have secured their spot in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Head coach Efrain Ayala said his team wrestled with a consistency that he hopes to see the rest of the season.

“We still see areas of improvement, but many guys really stepped up and showed how much they want a starting position,” Ayala said. “I want to continue working on the weaknesses while maintaining our consistent performance moving forward.”

Freshman AJ Schoenfuss tallied UWO’s first points of the night following his forfeit victory at 125 pounds. Schoenfuss leads the Titans with five pins so far this season.

The Pointers answered with four points of their own after Matt Berlin defeated UWO’s Zach McDowell, 12-4, in their 133-pound contest.

The Titans extended their lead to 13-4 after victories from sophomore Wesam Alabed and senior Corey Knudsen. Alabed dominated Zane Struber, 12-4, in the 141-pound matchup while Knudsen ousted Blaz Daul, 6-1, at 149 pounds.

The Pointers managed to bring the score within four after Luke Smiley pinned UWO’s Mike Baumann in 1:38 at 157 pounds and James Borgen edged Husam Alabed, 10-7, at 174 pounds.

Senior Mark Choinski then increased the Titans lead after an eight-point victory in his 165-pound bout with Jordan Weinzetl. Choinski remains undefeated on the season and leads the Titans with a 6-0 record overall.

UWO secured its win over the Pointers with back-to-back victories from junior Colten Cashmore and freshman Beau Yineman. Cashmore inched Zach Moon, 3-2, in the 184-pound contest while Yineman defeated Jerry Lipke, 14-6, at 197 pounds to earn the Titans their final points of the night.

Cashmore said the Titans 2-0 start to the season has gained new attention to UWO wrestling.

“Our hard work inside the room is starting to pay dividends,” Cashmore said. “This start has got people to believe in us and has increased support tremendously.”

The team had a record-setting attendance this season with 420 people at a dual meet against UW-Stevens Point on Nov. 13.

Choinski said he was happy with his teammates’ performances and anticipates the Titans to continue their success into their next matchup.

“Everyone wrestled tough,” Choinski said. “I expect our team to keep the momentum rolling into our next dual meet. We have a lot of young talent and they are going to be ready to compete.”

UWO will hit the mat next at the Milwaukee School of Engineering Invitational on Saturday.