This week: No. 2 Augustana (9-1, 3-0 NSIC) hosts a pair of nationally ranked opponents this week as Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference neighbors No. 3 St. Cloud State (14-1, 1-0 NSIC) and No. 7 Minnesota State (7-2, 3-0 NSIC) visit the Elmen Center on Thursday and Friday. Both duals start at 7 p.m.
Last time out: Augustana picked up two conference wins on the road last week, topping Northern State 32-6 on Thursday and U-Mary 40-6 on Friday. The Vikings had three wins by major decision and another by technical fall to beat the Wolves, while a pin by Ty Copsey at 197 pounds keyed the Augustana victory over the Marauders.
The nation’s best: Competition in the Elmen Center this week will feature three of the country’s top programs. St. Cloud State enters the week No. 3 in the latest Division II rankings, while Minnesota State is No. 7. The Vikings, who are No. 2, notched wins against both squads at the NWCA National Duals earlier this month. Augustana knocked off then No. 2-ranked SCSU 18-15 and then No. 6-ranked MSU 31-6. The Vikings are 2-1 against nationally ranked opponents this season; their only loss was a 17-15 defeat the hands of No. 1 Nebraska-Omaha.
The standings: The Vikings are one of four NSIC clubs with a flawless conference mark after last week’s competition. Minnesota State (3-0), Upper Iowa (2-0) and St. Cloud State (1-0) are all perfect in NSIC duals thus far. That will change this week, however, as all of those teams are scheduled to face at least one other undefeated opponent.
Copsey by fall: For the second straight week, senior Ty Copsey notched a win by fall in dual action. His pin in 2:47 against U-Mary’s Randall Wallace pushed Augustana’s lead to 37-6. Two weeks ago, he pinned Minnesota State Moorhead’s Brian Woelfel in 49 seconds. Copsey has three wins by fall this season and is 12-1.
By the numbers: Augustana’s 9-1 record has included its fair share of one-sided wins this season. The Vikings have pitched shutouts twice and held opponents to just six points five times. Augustana has outscored its opponents 304-69 this season.
A chance at history: The Vikings have an opportunity to post the most dual victories by a squad in school history if they win out the rest of the season. Augustana has six duals left, and a win in each would give the Vikings 15 for the season, breaking the previous record of 14. Augustana reached 14 wins during the 2004-05 season–also under the guidance of head coach Jason Reitmeier.
Viking lineup:
| Wt. | Wrestler |
| 125 | Al Meger |
| 133 | Jason Jeremiason OR Cody Lensing |
| 141 | Jay Sherer |
| 149 | Nate Herda |
| 157 | Marcus Edgington |
| 165 | Gavin Nelson |
| 174 | Carl Serck |
| 184 | Tom Davies OR Brian Schultz |
| 197 | Ty Copsey |
| 285 | Lance Peters |
Northern Sun honors: Augustana has had two NSIC Wrestler of the Week selections this season. Jason Jeremiason was picked on Jan. 10, whileCody Lensing picked up the accolade on Nov. 29.
Duals to finish: From here on out, the Vikings’ schedule is filled with duals. Augustana has no opens for the remainder of the season.
National news: Augustana climbed one spot and is ranked No. 2 in the latest NCAA Division II wrestling rankings released Jan. 19 by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. The Vikings received 152 points. Augustana had been ranked third in each poll prior to the Jan. 19 edition.
| Date | Ranking |
| Oct. 21 | 3rd |
| Dec. 8 | 3rd |
| Jan. 4 | 3rd |
| Jan. 2 | 2nd |
Who’s ranked: The Vikings had six individuals ranked in the latest NCAA Division II rankings. Defending national champion Jay Sherer gave up his No. 1 position at 149 pounds for the first time this season, falling to No. 4. Marcus Edgington (157 pounds) and Ty Copsey (197 pounds) were both No. 2 at their respective weights. Gavin Nelson (165 pounds) and Carl Serck (174 pounds) were both No. 6, while Nate Herda (149 pounds) was No. 8). To view the latest national rankings, click here.
Northern Sun rankings: Augustana is ranked No. 2 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Vikings accumulated 61 points in the conference rankings. Individually, Jay Sherer (141 pounds), Nate Herda (149 pounds), Marcus Edgington (157 pounds) and Ty Copsey (197 pounds) each took the No. 1 position. Others in the top five included Al Meger (No. 3 at 125 pounds), Cody Lensing (No. 3 at 133 pounds), Gavin Nelson (No. 2 at 165 pounds), Carl Serck (No. 3 at 174 pounds) and Lance Peters (No. 4 at 285 pounds). To view the complete conference rankings, click here.