SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Officials from Augustana and St. Cloud State have announced the postponement of Thursday’s dual to Sunday. The dual will now begin at 11 a.m. inside the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Sunday. Watch live at nsicnetwork.com.
Augustana Vikings
Augustana hosts No. 1 St. Cloud State in first home dual
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Augustana wrestling team is back at home and set to wrestle inside the Elmen Center Thursday at 7 p.m. against the No. 1-ranked St. Cloud State Huskies. St. Cloud State is the third-consecutive top-25 team the Vikings will square off against.
It’s been 345 days since Augustana has hosted a wrestling dual inside the Elmen Center and in 2021 amidst a pandemic, it will look a little bit different. Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance will be limited to family members of Viking wrestlers only. As always, however, live video and live streaming will be available for the dual at GoAugie.com/Live.
Minnesota State 25, Augustana 13
Mankato, Minn. — 12th-rated Minnesota State won seven of ten matches enroute to a 25-13 victory in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference wrestling action in Mankato.
Rated tenth in the nation at 125, senior Trenton McManus upped his record on the year to 2-0 to start the match with a 14-6 major decision win over John Babineau to get things rolling.
Minnesota State junior Kolbe O’Brien decisioned Jack Huffman at 141 by a 7-3 margin before two-time All-American Kyle Rathman earned a 7-5 win over tenth-rated Hunter Burnett at 149 to give the Mavericks a 10-3 lead.
Vikings Set To Take On No. 12 Minnesota State
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.
Augustana 21, Wisconsin-Parkside 17
Hajas’ Victory Leads Augustana Past No. 22 Parkside
KENOSHA, Wis. — A back-and-forth wrestling dual came down to the wire Saturday afternoon in De Simone Gymnasium with Augustana 285-pounder Steven Hajas preserving the Viking victory over No. 22 Wisconsin-Parkside. The Vikings move to 1-0 on the young season and have now defeated the Rangers in three-consecutive duals.
“It was great to finally get out on the mat and compete,” Augustana head coach Jason Reitmeier said. “We needed this as a team, as a staff and as a program.
“This was a good win against a tough team. I’m proud of our effort. There’s a lot of positives to take from today and a lot of things to work and improve on.”
Augustana Back in Action for 2021 Campaign
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — It’s been 303 days since Augustana wrestling was halted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Saturday, however, the Vikings are back on the mat at noon for their season opening dual against the No. 22 Parkside Rangers in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“The athletes and coaches are extremely excited,” head coach Jason Reitmeier said. “In September, the thought of competition seemed so far away and sometimes nonexistent. Now we are a couple days from competing and feel very blessed to have the opportunity. Our guys are grateful, eager and ready.
“I am sure there are a few nerves for our first competition but I am confident that they are ready, focused and going to have a lot of fun on the mat.”
NWCA NCAA DII Rankings – December 18, 2020
Manheim, PA – Behind four top-ranked wrestlers and another three ranked individuals, the St. Cloud State Huskies sit atop the preseason edition of the NCAA Division II Coaches Rankings, released Friday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Head Coach Steve Costanzo’s Huskies, who ended the 2019-20 season ranked atop the team poll, amassed 108 points, with the #1 wrestlers at 133, 157, 165 and 285 all from St. Cloud State. Nebraska-Kearney is second in the poll, with 90 points behind eight ranked individuals. Central Oklahoma (80), Lindenwood (65) and McKendree (55) round out the top five in the team ranking.
Central Oklahoma features the most ranked wrestlers, with nine Bronchos spread throughout the individual rankings. Heath Gray, the 2020 Division II Wrestler of the Year, opens the season atop the 184 rankings to highlight the UCO group. Heavyweight is the lone weight class that does not feature a Broncho, while Central Oklahoma has a wrestler in the top five at four weights. Nebraska-Kearney’s eight ranked Lopers is second-most, with St. Cloud State and Gannon both landing seven wrestlers in the individual rankings.
Vikings Selected to Finish Third In The 2021 NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Hunter Burnett named Preseason Wrestler to Watch
BURNSVILLE, Minn. — The Augustana wrestling team has been picked to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll the conference office announced Tuesday. The Vikings tallied 66 points in the poll while sophomore Hunter Burnett was picked as Augustana’s Preseason Wrestler to Watch.
“We have a good mixture of experience and youth that brings out the excitement in this team,” head coach Jason Reitmeier said. “We have great leadership up and down the roster, and it shows in our younger kids.
“The commitment to academics and athletics isn’t something they just talk about, it’s something they show in their work.”