SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Just five days after taking down No. 22 Wisconsin-Parkside, the Augustana wrestling team hits the road Thursday for another ranked opponent, this time No. 12 Minnesota State. The Mavericks serve as the second of five currently ranked opponents on Augustana’s schedule.
The Vikings wrestle the Mavericks inside the Taylor Center in Mankato, Minnesota, at 7 p.m. Thursday night. In the 2021 NSIC Wrestling Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Augustana was selected to finish third with 66 points while Minnesota State was selected to finish fourth with 61 points.
The Mavericks
Minnesota State comes into its dual with Augustana ranked No. 12 in the country with three ranked wrestlers: No. 10 Trent McManus at 125 pounds, No. 2 Kyle Rathman at 149 pounds, and No. 3 Trevor Turriff at 174 pounds. Last time on the mat, the Mavericks defeated Minot State 31-12 while winning seven of the ten matches in the dual.
The Vikings
Augustana comes into its dual with Minnesota State at 1-0 after a close victory over No. 22 Wisconsin-Parkside last weekend. The Vikings split the 10 dual matches with the Rangers, however, they cashed in on bonus points in the form of two falls from sophomores Jack Huffman and No. 10-ranked Hunter Burnett. Both wrestlers are wrestling up one weight class from what they competed in last season with Huffman at 141 and Burnett at 149. So far, the move has paid dividends for Augustana.
The Vikings are 20-26 in the all-time series with the Mavericks, with Augustana winning last season’s matchup: a 24-13 victory in Mankato. In the last 10 matchups between the conference foes, Augustana holds a 6-4 edge.
The Lineups
Wt. – Augustana Vikings (Probables)
125- John Babineau
133- Brandon Carroll
141- Jack Huffman
149- No. 10 Hunter Burnett
157- Tyler Wagener
165- Dylan Schuck
174- Cade Mueller
184- Kolby Kost OR Zach Peterson
197- No. 12 Daniel Bishop
285- No. 11 Steven Hajas
Wt. – Minnesota State Mavericks (Probables)
125- No. 10 Trenton McManus
133- Brock Luthens
141- Kolbe O’Brien
149- No. 2 Kyle Rathman
157- Cooper Siebrecht
165- Mike Smith
174- No. 3 Trevor Turiff
184- Dylan Butts
197- Matthew Blome
285- David Griffet
Follow Augustana results on trackwrestling.com
Wrestler to Watch
Sophomore and No. 11-ranked Steven Hajas had the fate of the Augustana-Parkside dual resting on his shoulders in the 285-pound bout and delivered a clutch 4-1 victory. The former national qualifier could find himself in a similar situation this Thursday; one he has proven to be comfortable in.
One Last Thing
Last season, the Vikings took down the Mavericks on the road when they were ranked No. 17 in the country. Augustana won that dual 24-13 and defeated two of Minnesota State’s ranked wrestlers as well.
Check out Vikings Wrestling at goaugie.com and on Twitter and Facebook.