SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – No. 6-ranked Augustana posted wins over Limestone (S.C.) and No. 7 Central Oklahoma Sunday to capture the consolation championship at the NWCA National Duals in Springfield, Ill.
The Vikings topped LC 23-11 and UCO 16-15.
Augustana improves to 6-1.
Results on TrackWrestling.com: Division II
The Vikings found themselves in the consolation bracket after falling to No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney yesterday in the second round of action.
Augustana opened its dual with LC (5-6) with five-straight wins, including two by major decision and another by technical fall. Cody Lensing (125) and Chism Fink (141) each earned wins by major decision, while Nate Herda got his victory by technical fall.
Jeremiah Peterson (133) and Marcus Edgington (157) posted additional wins in the first five bouts. The Saints were also assessed a one-point team penalty in the 133-pound tilt.
The first of LC’s three victories came at 165 pounds when Daniel McGillivray beat Matt Morris 4-2 at 165 pounds.
Carl Serck followed with Augustana’s final win of the dual at 174 pounds, taking a 14-6 major decision from Bryce Sopko to stretch the Vikings’ lead to 23-3.
The Saints managed wins in the final three bouts at 184, 197 and 285 pounds.
UCO (3-3) nearly knocked off Augustana in the consolation championship. The Bronchos trailed 16-12 heading into the final heavyweight bout and needed a major decision to tie the contest. Mike Roberts fell to Cody Dauphin but managed to keep the loss to a decision and secure a one-point Viking win.
Augustana won five bouts in the dual. Lensing’s win by major decision over Ryan Brooks in the 125-pound contest proved to be the difference as it was the only victory by either team not by decision.
Fink (141), Herda (149), Edgington (157) and Serck (174) also notched wins for the Vikings.
Augustana will travel to Minnesota next weekend to face St. John’s on Saturday and Concordia (Moorhead) on Sunday.