MINNEAPOLIS — Three national champion wrestlers lead the nine-member induction class for the 53rd Augsburg University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Former Auggie standouts Ben Bauer, Josh Cagle, and Nik Lewandowski are among the group, which will be formally inducted during Homecoming week on Thursday, Oct. 15 at Hoversten Chapel in the Foss Center.
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Bauer, a two-time heavyweight national champion, anchored the Auggies during one of the most dominant stretches in NCAA Division III history. The 2001 graduate won back-to-back individual titles in 2000 and 2001, making him one of 13 wrestlers in program history to win multiple national crowns. A three-time MIAC champion, Bauer compiled a 136-16 career record and contributed to team national championships in 1998, 2000, and 2001. He also competed in track and field, becoming the first MIAC athlete to finish top-eight in three weight throwing disciplines at a single conference meet.
Cagle completed one of the most dominant single seasons in school history as a senior in 1999-2000, going 40-0 en route to the 149-pound national title. A three-time All-American, Cagle placed fourth at 142 pounds in 1998 and second at 149 in 1999 before capping his career at the top of the podium. He finished his career with a 139-17 record, 49 career technical falls, and three team national championship rings (1997, 1998, 2000).
Lewandowski, inducted into the NWCA Division III Hall of Fame in 2022, is one of seven four-time All-Americans in Augsburg history. After finishing as a national runner-up twice (1998, 1999) and placing third in 2000, Lewandowski captured the 184-pound national title in 2001 by rallying from a 5-1 deficit to win 7-5 in overtime. A four-time MIAC champion, Lewandowski compiled a 124-34 career mark and was a member of three national championship teams.
Joining the wrestling trio in the 2026 Hall of Fame class are Todd Cary ’98 (hockey), Troy Deden ’06 (baseball/football), Jessa Hinz Dorsett ’11 (softball), Kristina (Lurken) Anderson ’08 (basketball/volleyball), and Stefani (Zappa) Otness ’11 (golf). Former men’s basketball player Harry Sonie ’18 will receive the Augsburg Excellence in Coaching Award.
The additions bring the total membership of the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame to 380 individuals and one team.
Check out Auggies Wrestling at athletics.augsburg.edu and on Facebook and X (Twitter).