No. 5 Augustana (8-1, 0-0 NSIC) opens defense of its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title on Friday, hosting U-Mary (0-2, 0-2 NSIC). Competition begins at 7 p.m. in the Elmen Center.
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Senior night
Eight Viking seniors will be recognized at Friday’s dual with U-Mary. They are Bryce Flaherty, Carl Serck, Michael Edgington, Marcus Edgington, Matt Morris, Chism Fink, Jason Jeremiason and Cody Lensing.
Last time out
The Vikings went on the road last weekend and defeated a pair of Division III opponents. Augustana downed St. John’s (Minn.) by a 23-13 margin and followed with a 22-18 win at Concordia (Moorhead).
Perfect weekend
Six Augustana wrestlers posted 2-0 records in action at St. John’s and Concordia. Cody Lensing (125), Jason Jeremiason (133),Chism Fink (141), Nate Herda (149), Carl Serck (174) and Jayd Docken (184) all came away with two wins each.
Undefeated
Cody Lensing (125) and Jason Jeremiason (133) carry perfect season records into Friday’s conference opener against U-Mary. Lensing is 10-0 with two pins, four major decisions, three decisions and a forfeit. Jeremiason is 9-0 with one fall and two major decisions.
Conference openers
Since joining the NSIC in 2008-09, Augustana is perfect in conference openers. Last season, the Vikings beat MSU Moorhead 29-6 at home. 2009-10 started with a 36-6 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in Sioux Falls, and 2008-09 began with a 26-10 triumph over MSUM at home.
Scouting U-Mary
The Marauders enter Friday’s contest with an 0-2 record. Both of their losses are in conference action, coming to St. Cloud State and Upper Iowa. Head coach Ben Berogan enters his fourth season at U-Mary. The Marauders finished 2-12 last season.
Dynamic duals
Due to a late schedule change, U-Mary opened its NSIC and dual schedule with same day encounters against two of the top teams in Division II. The host Marauders lost 28-12 to top-ranked St. Cloud State and 32-7 to No. 3 Upper Iowa on Jan. 15.
Friendly confines
Augustana hasn’t lost a home NSIC dual since the 2008-09 season. The Vikings have won their last seven conference duals in the Elmen Center and have went undefeated at home in NSIC action the past two seasons. The last time Augustana fell at home in a conference dual was on Feb. 6, 2009, when St. Cloud State topped the Vikings 17-16.
There’s no place like home
The Vikings will host just three conference duals in the Elmen Center this season. Besides U-Mary’s trip to Sioux Falls on Friday, Southwest Minnesota State and Northern State will visit Augustana on Feb. 3 and 5, respectively. The Vikings had four home conference dates last season.
Win, win, win
Augustana’s 14 dual wins last season tied a school record. The Vikings, who already have eight dual wins in 2011-12, could break that record with victories in their remaining seven contests. It will be a tall task, however, as the ensuing opponents–all NSIC members–include three teams currently nationally ranked.
Consecutive victories
The Vikings have strung together five-straight dual wins heading into Friday’s tilt with U-Mary. The win streak is the longest since last season when Jason Reitmeier‘s crew put together eight-consecutive midseason victories.
Viking lineup
Jason Reitmeier plans to field the following lineup this Friday:
| 125 | Cody Lensing |
| 133 | Jason Jeremiason OR Jeremiah Peterson |
| 141 | Chism Fink |
| 149 | Nate Herda |
| 157 | Marcus Edgington |
| 165 | Matt Morris |
| 174 | Carl Serck |
| 184 | Jayd Docken OR Sean Derry |
| 197 | Brian Schultz |
| 285 | Mike Roberts |
National news
Augustana moved up one spot in the latest Division II national rankings released Jan. 11. The Vikings received 127 points. St. Cloud State earned the top position with 160 points. To view the complete poll, click here.
| Date | Rk |
| Oct. 26 (Preseason) | 6th |
| Dec. 7 | 6th |
| Jan. 11 | 5th |
Individual rankings
Four Augustana wrestlers are individually ranked in the top eight in the nation in their respective weight classes.
| Ranking | Wrestler | Wt. |
| No. 1 | Nate Herda | 149 |
| No. 2 | Jason Jeremiason | 133 |
| No. 3 | Marcus Edgington | 157 |
| No. 4 | Carl Serck | 174 |
Up next
Augustana travels to St. Cloud State and Minnesota State on Jan. 27 and 28.