RELEASED:  Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Peloquin Replaces Sikora As UW-Eau Claire Wrestling Coach

EAU CLAIRE, Wis.--Russ Peloquin will replace Derek Sikora as head wrestling coach for UW-Eau Claire for the 2010-11 season, Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon announced May 28.

Sikora, who replaced long-time Blugold coach Don Parker after his retirement a year ago, resigned to pursue a career opportunity.

"We want to thank Derek for his service and dedication to the program and wish him luck in his next career venture," Kilgallon said. "We are fortunate to name long-time assistant Russ Peloquin as the next head coach. Russ' dedication to Blugold wrestling will help make a seamless transition and will move the program forward."

Peloquin has served as an assistant wrestling coach for the Blugolds since 2004. A former wrestler from UW-La Crosse, Peloquin is a two-time All-American, recording a second place finish at 118 pounds at the 1998 NCAA Division III Championships and a sixth place finish at the 1999 championships at 125 pounds.

Peloquin brings with him 10 years of wrestling coaching experience. Prior to his six seasons with the Blugolds he was a graduate assistant for UW-La Crosse for one year. He also coached as an assistant at Wabash College (Ind.) and Lawrence University. Peloquin has coached three national champions, one at UW-Eau Claire, one at UW-La Crosse and one at Lawrence.

Peloquin is no stranger to great achievement on the wrestling mat either as he was a very successful wrestler for the UW-La Crosse Eagles. In addition to his All-American honors, he won Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 1998 and 1999 at 118 and 125 pounds, respectively, as the Eagles went on to win the conference team championship. Peloquin finished his career with a record of 70-19 as he wrestled from 1995-99.

In 2001, Peloquin earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education from UW-La Crosse while he earned his master of science in exercise and sport science-pedagogy degree in 2004 at La Crosse as well. He also serves as an associate lecturer in the Department of Kinesiology at UW-Eau Claire.