Augsburg (9-1 in dual meets), ranked No. 3 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III national rankings, avenged an earlier 26-12 loss to Wisconsin-La Crosse (19-2), ranked No. 2, in the semifinals of the NWCA Division III National Duals on Jan. 13. Augsburg is the defending NCAA Division III national champions and winners of 10 of the last 17 national titles. The Auggies completed a successful weekend against No. 2-ranked national teams. On Friday night, the Auggies topped Nebraska-Omaha, the No. 2-ranked team in Division II, 22-15.
Augsburg is the defending NCAA Division III national champions and winners of 10 of the last 17 national titles. Against teams from Divisions II and III, Augsburg is now 227-18 since the 1989-90 season, losing just 13 matches to non-Division I opponents since the 1995-96 season. Against strictly Division III opponents, Augsburg is 234-21 since the 1979-80 season and 158-11 since the 1989-90 season.
As was the case in Friday's win over Nebraska-Omaha, the lower weights proved to be the difference in the match. The Auggies won the first five bouts of the match, including two bonus-point victories, to build a 20-0 lead.
No. 4-ranked Seth Flodeen (JR, Cannon Falls, Minn.) opened the match with a third-period pin at 125 pounds, and No. 4-ranked Travis Lang (JR, Bismarck, N.D.) followed with a 7-3 victory over the Eagles' No. 5-ranked Jordan Kolinski at 133. Flodeen actually trailed 4-2 after one period in his bout with Pat Parrillo, but scored an escape, two takedowns and a three-point near-fall before getting his pin in the third period. Lang gave up a takedown in the first period, but rallied with a reversal, three-point near-fall and second-period escape to take command of the match and improve to 25-1 on the year.
Lucas Murray (FY, Anoka, Minn.) claimed an 5-3 win at 141, going ahead in the second period with an escape and earning a riding-time bonus point. At 149, No. 2-ranked Willy Holst (SO, Prescott, Wis.) improved to 23-2 on the year with an 18-3, third-period technical-fall victory, scoring five takedowns, a reversal and two near-falls to gain the win. Beau Hansen (FY, Albert Lea, Minn.) then clinched the shutout start to the match with a 6-2 decision at 157.
The Auggies clinched the match win at 184, when No. 8-ranked Robbie Gotreau (SR, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) claimed an 8-4 win over the Eagles' No. 3-ranked Josh Zabel. Gotrueau built a 5-2 lead after two periods on two takedowns and an escape, then clinched the win with a takedown and riding-time point in the third period.
The Eagles' two top-ranked wrestlers scored major-decision victories, as Tim Palmer scored a 15-4 win over Brandon Klukow (JR, Albert Lea, Minn.) at 165, and Josh Chelf scored an 11-1 win over George Lynaugh (SR, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS) at 174. No. 7-ranked Andy Moore scored an 8-3 win over Wallace O'Connor (SR, Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh West HS) at 197, and Hakan Binek edged Augsburg's Andy Witzel (SO, Fulda, Minn.) 6-4 at heavyweight.
The road does not get any easier for the Auggies, as they will travel to face No. 1-ranked Wartburg (Iowa) in a dual on Saturday (2/2) at 7:30 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa, while Wisconsin-La Crosse faces Wisconsin-Eau Claire in a dual on Tuesday (1/29) at 7 p.m.
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