EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Qualifying seven individuals to the NCAA Division III National Championships and winning three regional titles, the Augsburg University wrestling team won its 19th straight regional championship, taking the crown at the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional, held Friday and Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Augsburg, ranked No. 6 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III dual-meet national poll, won the 18-team regional with 163.5 points. Augsburg has won the team title in its NCAA regional every year since starting regional competition in the 2002-03 season.
With its seven national tournament qualifiers, Augsburg has had seven or more national tournament qualifiers in 18 of the last 19 seasons. Augsburg had four regional champions, two runners-up and two third-place finishers. The top three finishers in each weight class qualify for the national tournament, which will be held March 11-12 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
In the two-day tournament, the Auggies combined for a 33-10 record, with seven pins, four technical falls and six major decisions.
Solomon Nielsen (SR, Luverne, Minn./Luverne HS) qualified for his third NCAA national tournament and fourth overall with his second Upper Midwest Regional title at 174 pounds, going 4-0 on the weekend. He opened the tournament with a third-period pin, then scored a pair of decision victories, including a 9-8 win over Nick Dado of Wisconsin-Platteville in the semifinals. Nielsen, ranked No. 4 in the latest NWCA Division III national rankings at 174, was a first-team NWCA All-American in 2021 and finished second last year at 174 in the NWCA Division III national championships. He is now 29-3 on the season with five pins, seven technical falls and seven major decisions, and is 116-22 in his collegiate career.
Heavyweight Tyler Kim (JR, Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley HS) qualified for his second national tournament with the 285-pound regional title, going 4-0 with a pair of pins. Kim, ranked No. 7 nationally at 285, opened the meet with a 28-second pin, and scored a 3:26 pin of No. 6-ranked Ben Kawcyznski of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the semifinals — avenging two earlier losses to Kawcyznski this season. In the finals, he also avenged a pair of earlier losses to No. 5-ranked Jordan Lemcke of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a 3-1 win in the finals. Kim is now 34-6 on the season with 16 pins, two technical falls and four major decisions, and is now 65-18 in his career. He finished second last year at 285 at the NWCA Division III national tournament.
Derek Steele (FY, Winthrop, Minn./Sibley East HS) earned his first trip to the national tournament with the regional title at 125 pounds, going 4-0 with two first-period pins. After a 5-3 win over Brandon Murphy of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the semifinals to avenge an earlier 3-2 loss this season, he scored a 43-second pin of Jake Mora of Elmhurst (Ill.) in the finals. Steele enters his first national tournament with a 23-6 record, with 13 pins, a technical fall and two major decisions.
Three Auggies finished as regional runners-up. Nick Rogge (SR, Eastman, Wis./Prairie du Chien HS) earned his second national tournament berth with a second-place finish at 184 pounds. The No. 10-ranked 184-pounder nationally, Rogge opened with an 18-0, first-period technical fall, scored a 9-2 win over No. 11-ranked Kalyn Jahn of Wisconsin-La Crosse, but lost by a 10-0 major decision to No. 5-ranked Jarrit Shinhoster of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the finals. Rogge, who finished fifth last year at 184 pounds at the NWCA tournament, is now 24-4 on the season with three pins, 12 technical falls and three major decisions, and is 89-20 in his Auggie career.
Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (JR, Loyal, Wis./Marshfield HS) qualified for his second national tournament with a second-place finish at 197 pounds, going 3-1. He scored a first-period pin and a 14-5 major-decision win over Chad Richards of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the semifinals, before dropping an injury default in the finals. The No. 10-ranked 197-pounder in the latest national poll, Schwanebeck-Ostermann is now 17-5 on the season with three pins and five major decisions, and is 48-17 in his career. He placed sixth at last year’s NWCA national meet at 197.
No. 3-ranked 141-pounder Sam Stuhl (JR, Ellsworth, Wis./Ellsworth HS), a mid-season transfer from Division I North Dakota State, qualified for his first Division III national meet with a second-place finish in a strong bracket. He scored a pair of major decision wins on the first day, then edged No. 9-ranked Zach Sato of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 3-1 in overtime in the semifinals, before dropping a 7-3 decision to No. 2-ranked Jimmy McAuliffe of Elmhurst (Ill.) in the finals. Now 23-5 on the season with six pins, three technical falls and three major decisions, he is now 19-3 as an Auggie and 31-15 in his college career.
Tyler Shilson (JR, Maple Grove, Minn./Centennial HS), ranked No. 3 nationally at 157 pounds, rallied from a 4-1 semifinal loss to No. 8-ranked Darian Estevez of Chicago (Ill.) with two major decision wins in the wrestlebacks — a 15-4 win over Tristan Massie of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a 13-4 win over No. 7-ranked Luke Smiley of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the third-place match. A third-place finisher at last year’s NWCA national tournament at 157, Shilson is now 29-3 on the season with four pins, 15 technical falls and six major decisions. He is 39-4 in his two seasons as an Auggie and 67-28 in his college career.
Three Auggies fell short of qualifying for nationals and ended their season over the weekend. Matt Rogge (FY, Eastman, Wis./Prairie du Chien HS) fell just short of a national berth with a fourth-place finish at 165 pounds, finishing his first college season at 24-16. Charlie Stuhl (SO, Ellsworth, Wis./Ellsworth HS) finished fifth at 149 pounds, finishing his season at 29-13. He is now 34-15 in his career. Austin Gabbert (FY, Lester Prairie, Minn./Watertown-Mayer HS) finished his inaugural college season at 18-14 at 133 pounds, going 1-2 on Friday.
UP NEXT: Augsburg will compete at the NCAA Division III National Championships, to be held Friday and Saturday, March 11-12, at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional Results
125 — Derek Steele — 1st place
Champ. Round 1 – Derek Steele (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by fall over John Fortugno (University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater) 6-14 (Fall 1:56)
Quarterfinal – Derek Steele (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by decision over Brendan Johnston (Wheaton College (Illinois)) 1-2 (Dec 5-2)
Semifinal – Derek Steele (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by decision over Brandon Murphy (University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse) 12-14 (Dec 5-3)
1st Place Match – Derek Steele (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by fall over Jake Mora (Elmhurst College) 3-1 (Fall 0:43)
133 — Austin Gabbert
Champ. Round 1 – No. 7 Tyler Fleetwood (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) 23-5 won by decision over Austin Gabbert (Augsburg University) 1-2 (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Round 1 – Austin Gabbert (Augsburg University) 1-2 won by decision over Justin Hames (Elmhurst College) 0-2 (Dec 12-10)
Cons. Round 2 – Warren Stanfield III (University Of Chicago) 8-6 won by decision over Austin Gabbert (Augsburg University) 1-2 (Dec 8-6)
141 — No. 7 Sam Stuhl — 2nd place
Champ. Round 1 – Sam Stuhl (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by major decision over Michael Smith (Milwaukee School Of Engineering) 0-2 (MD 16-3)
Quarterfinal – Sam Stuhl (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by major decision over Ethan Renager (Wheaton College (Illinois)) 4-2 (MD 12-2)
Semifinal – Sam Stuhl (Augsburg University) 3-1 won in sudden victory – 1 over No. 9 Zach Sato (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) 38-6 (SV-1 3-1)
1st Place Match – No. 2 Jimmy McAuliffe (Elmhurst College) 4-0 won by decision over Sam Stuhl (Augsburg University) 3-1 (Dec 7-3)
149 — Charlie Stuhl — 5th place
Champ. Round 1 – Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg University) 4-2 won by tech fall over Sam Johnson (University Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) 5-13 (TF-1.5 4:40 (16-1))
Quarterfinal – Ryan Fleck (University Of Chicago) 19-4 won by decision over Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg University) 4-2 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg University) 4-2 won by tech fall over K`den McMullin (Pacific University (Oregon)) 7-10 (TF-1.5 4:08 (18-0))
Cons. Round 3 – Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg University) 4-2 won by fall over Bryce Jankowski (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) 2-3 (Fall 1:55)
Cons. Semi – No. 8 Jake Burford (University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater) 26-6 won by decision over Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg University) 4-2 (Dec 4-1)
5th Place Match – Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg University) 4-2 won by decision over Jake Mandt (University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse) 18-14 (Dec 6-3)
157 — No. 3 Tyler Shilson — 3rd place
Champ. Round 1 – Tyler Shilson (Augsburg University) 4-1 won by decision over Ronald Massari (Elmhurst College) 1-2 (Dec 11-4)
Quarterfinal – Tyler Shilson (Augsburg University) 4-1 won by major decision over Tyler Bents (Concordia College) 13-16 (MD 10-1)
Semifinal – No. 8 Darian Estevez (University Of Chicago) 19-4 won by decision over Tyler Shilson (Augsburg University) 4-1 (Dec 9-5)
Cons. Semi – Tyler Shilson (Augsburg University) 4-1 won by major decision over Tristan Massie (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) 24-13 (MD 15-4)
3rd Place Match – Tyler Shilson (Augsburg University) 4-1 won by major decision over No. 7 Luke Smiley (University Of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) 24-3 (MD 13-4)
165 — Matt Rogge — 4th place
Champ. Round 1 – Matt Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-2 won by tech fall over Quinn Hoopman (Concordia University Wisconsin) 1-2 (TF-1.5 4:36 (17-0))
Quarterfinal – Matt Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-2 won by decision over Jeff Nugent (Elmhurst College) 4-2 (Dec 6-5)
Semifinal – No. 4 Seth Brossard (University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse) 24-1 won by decision over Matt Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-2 (Dec 4-0)
Cons. Semi – Matt Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-2 won in sudden victory – 1 over Bret Wilson (Concordia College) 12-14 (SV-1 6-4)
3rd Place Match – Preston Morgan (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) 4-1 won by fall over Matt Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-2 (Fall 3:28)
174 — No. 4 Solomon Nielsen — 1st place
Champ. Round 1 – Solomon Nielsen (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by fall over Joe Caringella (Elmhurst College) 0-2 (Fall 5:20)
Quarterfinal – Solomon Nielsen (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by decision over Isaac Gust (University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse) 20-12 (Dec 12-5)
Semifinal – Solomon Nielsen (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by decision over Nick Dado (University Of Wisconsin-Platteville) 22-15 (Dec 9-8)
1st Place Match – Solomon Nielsen (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by medical forfeit over No. 3 Ben Sarasin (University Of Chicago) 24-2 (M. For.)
184 — No. 10 Nick Rogge — 2nd place
Champ. Round 1 – Nick Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by tech fall over Scott Anderson (Elmhurst College) 1-2 (TF-1.5 3:00 (18-0))
Quarterfinal – Nick Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by decision over Patrick Curran (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) 2-3 (Dec 10-6)
Semifinal – Nick Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by decision over No. 11 Kalyn Jahn (University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse) 17-6 (Dec 9-2)
1st Place Match – No. 5 Jarrit Shinhoster (University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater) 28-2 won by major decision over Nick Rogge (Augsburg University) 3-1 (MD 10-0)
197 — No. 10 Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann — 2nd place
Champ. Round 1 – Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by fall over Nidal Farah (Lakeland University) 0-2 (Fall 1:31)
Quarterfinal – Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by decision over Sam Melton (University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) 23-11 (Dec 11-5)
Semifinal – Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg University) 3-1 won by major decision over Chad Richards (University Of Wisconsin-Whitewater) 17-9 (MD 14-5)
1st Place Match – Tyler Hannah (University Of Wisconsin-Platteville) 23-10 won by injury default over Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg University) 3-1 (Inj. 5:00)
285 — No. 7 Tyler Kim — 1st place
Champ. Round 1 – Tyler Kim (Augsburg University) 3-0 won by fall over Tom Allen (St. John`s University (Minnesota)) 0-19 (Fall 0:28)
Quarterfinal – Tyler Kim (Augsburg University) 3-0 won in sudden victory – 1 over Chase Dockter (Concordia College) 14-9 (SV-1 3-1)
Semifinal – Tyler Kim (Augsburg University) 3-0 won by fall over No. 6 Ben Kawcyznski (University Of Wisconsin-La Crosse) 25-5 (Fall 3:26)
1st Place Match – Tyler Kim (Augsburg University) 4-0 won by decision over No. 4 Jordan Lemcke (University Of Wisconsin-Oshkosh) 3-1 (Dec 3-1)
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