Augustana Vikings

Vikings Return a Lot of Experience

Augustana University Looking to Step It Up

By Matt Krumrie

Head coach Jason Reitmeier enters his 19th season coaching the Augustana Vikings wrestling program with high expectations. That's because the Vikings return ten wrestlers who have competed in the Super Region V tournament - arguably the toughest regional qualifier in Division II wrestling - and a lineup that boasts talent along with experience.

Others have also taken note. Augustana opened the season ranked No. 22 in the NWCA Preseason Division II coaches poll, with two wrestlers ranked - 2021 All-American Steven Hajas and 2021 national qualifier Brandon Carroll. Hajas finished third at 285 last season and is ranked fourth at 285 to start this season. Carroll is ranked 11th at 133. Other returning starters include Jack Huffman (141), Tyler Wagener (157), Dylan Schuck (165), Cade Mueller (174), Kolby Kost (184), Daniel Bishop (197), Keaten Schorr (149), Jacob Tvinnereim (165), and Jackson Sweeney (165). Schorr is moving up to 149 from 141, Tvinnereim is moving from 157 to 165, and Sweeney is moving from 165 to 184.

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Augustana Ranked No. 22 in NWCA Preseason Poll

Carroll and Hajas Individually Ranked

MANHEIM, Penn.– The Augustana wrestling team begins the 2021-22 season ranked in the Top-25 of the NWCA Preseason Division II poll. Augustana also has two individually ranked wrestlers in Brandon Carroll and Steven Hajas.

Augustana received 14 total points, landing in the 22nd spot in the poll. Reigning NCAA Division II champion St. Cloud State leads the preseason poll receiving 81 points. Rounding out the top five is Nebraska-Kearney, Lindenwood, Central Oklahoma, and West Liberty.

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NWCA NCAA DII Rankings – October 15, 2021

MANHEIM, Penn. — With the 2021-22 NCAA Division II wrestling season-opening competition in just two weeks, the preseason edition of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) DII Coaches Poll was released Friday afternoon.

Reigning NCAA Division II National Champion St. Cloud State tops the team poll with 81 points, with last year’s national runners-up, Nebraska-Kearney, hot on the Huskies’ heels with 80 points. Lindenwood takes the third-place spot with 78 points, while Central Oklahoma (74 points) and West Liberty (69 points) round out the top five.

Gannon and Nebraska-Kearney both feature eight ranked wrestlers, while both West Liberty and Central Oklahoma each boast two top-ranked individuals.

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Tickets Now On-Sale for Augustana Wrestling vs. North Dakota State

Dual to take place inside Sanford Pentagon

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Tickets for the Augustana wrestling dual with North Dakota State are now on sale through Ticketmaster.com or at the Pentagon Box Office. The dual, presented by Dental Comfort Center and River Ridge Oral Surgery, will take place Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. inside the Sanford Pentagon.

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Reitmeier Adds South Dakota State Champion to 2021 Signing Class

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Augustana head wrestling coach Jason Reitmeier is pleased to announce the addition of two-time South Dakota State Champion Cael Larson to the 2021 signing class. Larson grew up in Piedmont, South Dakota, and attended Rapid City Central High School.

“We are really excited and very lucky to get a student-athlete like Cael this late,” Reitmeier said. “Cael has all the tools but is exceptional in the neutral position. He is physical with his hands yet very slick with his offense.

“Cael is tall and slender. I can see him growing and moving up several weight classes by the time he graduates.”

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Vikings to Take on North Dakota State at Sanford Pentagon

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Augustana wrestling team will make its Sanford Pentagon debut on December 4 with a dual against NCAA Division I North Dakota State. The dual, presented by Dental Comfort Center and River Ridge Oral Surgery, will begin at 2 p.m. on Heritage Court.

“Turning the lights off on Heritage Court and putting a spotlight on the mat is always an exciting event at the Pentagon,” said Jesse Smith, vice president of operations at the Sanford Sports Complex. “These two programs have a history of producing great teams and individual wrestlers, and fans will be in for a competitive dual with a great atmosphere.”

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