MINNEAPOLIS — Augsburg College wrestler Josh Kohler (SR, Monticello, Minn.) was added to the field for the NCAA Division III National Championships in the 174-pound weight class, it was announced on Monday.
NCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS
Kohler was one of 10 wrestlers nationwide to be added to the field, ensuring that each of the 10 weight classes will have at least 16 wrestlers in its bracket. A total of 170 wrestlers will compete at the NCAA Division III National Championships, to be held at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis., March 9-10.
Kohler finished fifth in the 174-pound weight class at the Great Lakes Regional qualifying tournament on Saturday, but won a “True Fourth” match by a 7-3 decision over Caleb Malychewski of Pacific (Ore.). He was listed as one of three alternates when the initial group of 32 qualifying wrestlers was announced from the Great Lakes Regional on Saturday. Kohler is now 30-17 on the season and 61-49 in his career.
The addition of Kohler brings the number of Augsburg wrestlers in the national tournament field to eight. Augsburg had five weight-class champions at Saturday’s regional — top-ranked 149-pounder Tony Valek (SR, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West), top-ranked 157-pounder Orlando Ponce (SR, Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah-Miami Lakes HS), top-ranked heavyweight Chad Johnson (SO, Ferryville, Wis./DeSoto HS), No. 5-ranked 141-pounder Will Keeter (SO, Twin Falls, Idaho) and No. 6-ranked 197-pounder Brad Baus (SR, Mukwonago, Wis.). Two Auggies finished second in their weight classes at the regional to earn trips to nationals — 125-pounder Mike Fuenffinger (FY, Hibbing, Minn.) and 165-pounder Tommy Teigen (SO, Ham Lake, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian HS).
Augsburg is currently ranked No. 4 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III national rankings, behind top-ranked Wartburg (Iowa), No. 2 Wisconsin-La Crosse and No. 3 Coe (Iowa). Wartburg also gained a qualifier on Monday, bringing its number of qualifiers to 10. Wisconsin-La Crosse has five individual qualifiers, while Coe has eight qualifiers. No. 5-ranked Ithaca (N.Y.) has six qualfiers.
Full NCAA Division III National Championships field:
http://www.ncaa.com/news/