SIOUX FALLS, S.D.–The Augustana wrestling team travels to Kearney, Nebraska, on Saturday to face No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney and York. The first dual against York is slated for 11 a.m. and the Nebraska-Kearney matchup will begin at 12:15 p.m. following the York Dual.
Live results can be found at GoAugie.com/Live and on the GoAugie app, presented by CellOnly, found in the app store and on Google play.
The Lopers
Nebraksa-Kearney, the defending NCAA DII National Champions, hold a No. 2 national ranking in the latest NWCA poll with five individually ranked wrestlers. The Lopers are 1-0 overall after defeating Chadron State earlier in the season. UNK has participated in four tournaments in 2022-23.
The five wrestlers that are individually ranked are Nick James (#5 at 141 pounds), Austin Eldredge (#2 at 174 pounds), Billy Higgins (#1 at 184 pounds), Hayden Prince (#7 at 197 pounds) and Lee Herrington (#2 at 285 pounds).
The Lopers last met the Vikings in dual action at the Elmen Center last season. UNK was victorious in the dual with six individual victories.
The Panthers
York holds a record of 2-1 with dual victories over Central Christian and Wayland Baptist. The Panthers are an NAIA school and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. York has participated in five tournaments this season.
The Vikings
Augustana opened dual action at the Elmen Center with a 31-15 victory over MSU Moorhead last Friday. The Vikings saw wins in seven weight classes in the dual.
The Vikings see a spot at No. 8 in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll with Jack Huffman at the top spot at 133 pounds. The Vikings are 2-2 in dual action and have wrestled against two NCAA DI foes this season. Four wrestlers are individually ranked for the Vikings.
Huffman is ranked first in the poll at 133 pounds. The top spot in the rankings is the first of Huffman’s career and the junior has yet to take the mat this season. Huffman entered the 2022-23 campaign with an initial ranking at No. 2 and is a returning All-American. He placed eighth at the NCAA DII Championships last year and placed first at the NCAA Super Region V tournament.
Jaxson Rohman is ranked fifth at 125 pounds. Rohman holds a record of 6-1 this season with a win over Quincy Hulverson of Minnesota. Rohman was initially ranked at No. 8. Rohman entered the 2022-23 season after placing third at the NCAA Super Region V tournament and qualifying for the NCAA National tournament in 2021-22.
At 157 pounds, Miles Fitzgerald sees a spot at No. 7 in the poll. Fitzgerald competed at 165 pounds during the 2021-22 season and was initially ranked in the 10th spot in the preseason poll. The sophomore is 11-3 overall this season with a major decision victory over an opponent from DI’s South Dakota State.
Steven Hajas is ranked in the sixth spot at 285 pounds. Hajas holds a record of 3-1 this season and was ranked fourth in the preseason poll.
The Lineups:
Wt. Augustana Vikings Probable Starters
125: Jaxson Rohman (So.) or Christian Olsen (R-Fr.)
133: John Babineau (So.)
141: Kage Lenger (So.) or Kade Sammons (R-Fr.)
149: Kyle Boeke (R-Fr.) or Connor Simmonds (R-Fr.)
157: Miles Fitzgerald (So.) or Payton Anderson (R-So.)
165: Tyler Wagener (Jr.)
174: Jacob Tvinnereim (Jr.) or Kolby Kost (Sr.)
184: Cade Mueller (Jr.) or Danny Reynolds (R-So.)
197: Zach Peterson (So.)
285: Edward Hajas (So.) or Jarret Haglund (Jr.)
Wt. Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Probable Starters
125: Bishop Murray (R-Fr.) or Hector Serratos (R-Fr.)
133: Joseph Airola (Fr.)
141: Nick James (R-Jr.)
149: Brody Arrants (R-Fr.) or Beau Hostler (R-Fr.)
157: Teontae Wilson (R-Sr.)
165: Kaden Hart (R-Fr.)
174: Austin Eldredge (R-Sr.)
184: Billy Higgins (Jr.) or Dylan Vodicka (R-Fr.)
197: Hayden Prince (R-Sr.) or Jackson Kinsella (R-Fr.)
285: Lee Herrington (R-Sr.) or Jake Boley (R-Fr.)
Wt. York Panthers Probable Starters
125: Harley Williamson
133: Drew Lugafet
141: Julian Marrufo
149: John Fox
157: Manny McGill
165: Dayton Fraser
174: Shawn Pierre
184: Dakwan Cash
197: Marce Vasquez
285: Logan McDonald
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