The conference opener also marks the first dual of the season for the Vikings
SIOUX FALLS – The pre-conference season ended with a strong showing for the Augustana Wrestling team at the Warrior-Viking Open on Saturday, and now the Vikings look to take that momentum with them into Northern Sun completion when they open the conference season on Thursday at Northern State.
The conference opener also marks the first dual of the season for the Vikings, who participated in six tournaments so far this season, so they head into the night with a 0-0 overall record. The Wolves, on the other hand, enter conference competition with a 3-1 dual record and a 1-1 mark in NSIC competition, which includes a 25-12 loss at MSU Moorhead on Nov. 30, and a 24-12 home win over U-Mary on Dec. 6.
Thursday’s dual marks the 36th overall meeting between the two programs, with the Vikings holding a 33-2 series lead, which includes a 27-match winning streak dating back to the 1995-96 season. The two Northern State wins in the series came in the first meeting during the 1969-70 season and during the 1994-95 season.
The Vikings won both meetings last season, starting with a 31-15 non-conference win on Dec. 3, 2017, at the South Dakota Showcase in Spearfish, and a 36-6 win at the Elmen Center on Jan. 4, in NSIC competition.
Following Thursday’s action, the Vikings return home for two straight duals, starting with Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday, Jan. 9, and then again on Thursday, Jan. 17, against MSU-Moorhead.
Projected Lineup at Northern State:
125: Ethan Cota (10-12)
133: Brayden Curry (4-11)
141: Jebben Keyes (11-9)
149: Tyler Wagener (5-2) or Noah North (9-12)
157: Colin Ayers (19-8)
165: Bailey Neises (8-5) or Jackson Sweeney (10-5)
174: Lukas Poloncic (7-7)
184: Daniel Bishop (16-9)
197: Clayton Wahlstrom (18-11)
285: Matt Naig (5-8) or Steven Hajas (14-4)
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