The 2005-06 Vikings finished the season 18-1-1 in dual matches and a first place finish at National Duals, the GPAC Conference, Central Regionals and the NAIA National tournament. The Vikings lone loss was to Cal Poly who at that time was ranked No. 18 in the Division 1 rankings. The single tie was to Oregon State who was ranked third in the PAC 10 and eventually beat Cal Poly a week later in dual action.
In 2006-07, the Vikings have 10 duals scheduled, not including the National Duals where they will try to defend their 2006 crown. The Vikings will vie for their fifth Great Plains Athletic Conference championship and region title as well as another national championship.
Dana College will begin the season as always at the Daktronics Open at South Dakota State University on Nov. 4. In the past, the Vikings have traveled to the always tough Central Missouri State Open in Warrensburg, but this year have added the Harold Nichols Open in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to the schedule in its place on Nov. 11.
The Vikings' dual season will begin at home in the Gardner-Hawks Center on Nov. 17 when the Stars of Oklahoma City and Northwestern College come to town for a double dual. Oklahoma City is in its first season in the NAIA and will be a good test for the defending national champs.
Following the double dual, the Vikings will go in their own backyard and attend one of the nation's most premiere opens, the Kaufman-Brand Open at the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Nov. 18. The Kaufman-Brand Open features almost every top Division I team in the country with two age divisions, 21 & over and 20 & under.
In December, the Vikings will start out the month at the Simpson Invitational in Indianola, Iowa, on Dec. 2. This tournament will feature some of Division II and III's top teams. Then, on Dec. 8, the Vikings will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D., to take on another new team to the NAIA, the University of Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls is a GPAC and North Central Region member as well. Following the Sioux Falls dual will be the University of Nebraska-Kearney Loper Open on Dec. 9.
Ending out December will be two more GPAC and North Central region foes both out of Sioux City, Iowa. Coming to Gardner-Hawks Center on Dec. 15 will be Briar Cliff University and on Saturday, Dec. 16 are the Morningside Mustangs.
The Vikings will start out the new year by playing host to the annual Dana College Open on Jan. 6. The Dana Open is also Parents' Day for all Dana College wrestlers. Following the Dana Open, the Vikings will travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the NWCA/NAIA Cliff Keen National Duals on Jan. 13-14. In 2006, the Vikings were the third seed among 16 of the top NAIA schools and walked away with the school's first ever national championship by defeating the University of Cumberlands, 22-13, in the final.
After the National Duals, the Vikings will host Division II Northern State University in Gardner-Hawks Center on Jan. 17. On Jan. 20, the Vikings will travel to Orange City, Iowa, where they will compete in the annual Northwestern College Red Raider Invitational. The Vikings have claimed the championship here the past two seasons, most recently defeating nine-time Division III national champion, Augsburg College.
To finish out the month of January, the Vikings will host the two biggest duals of the season. Highlighting the 2006-07 schedule will be Jan. 27 in the Gardner-Hawks Center when the NAIA National Champions, Dana College, will host the three-time NCAA Division II National Champion, the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Following the dual with UNO, the Vikings will host Augustana College four days later on Jan. 31. Augustana finished 7th in 2006 and 2nd in 2005 in NCAA Division II. In 2006, Dana defeated Augustana in Sioux Falls, 20-17.
February will begin with the Vikings finishing out their dual season with Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, S.D., on Feb. 2 and Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo., on Feb. 7. Dana College defeated Missouri Valley twice in 2006.
The Vikings will be looking to claim their fifth consecutive GPAC Conference championship in Mitchell, S.D., on Feb. 10 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The 2006 Vikings claimed eight individual champions.
The NAIA regions were realigned and the Vikings are now part of the North Central region comprised of Briar Cliff University, Dakota Wesleyan University, Dickinson State, Northwestern College, University of Sioux Falls, Morningside College, and Jamestown College. The Vikings will travel to Dickinson State in Dickinson, N.D., on Saturday, Feb. 17 to look for their fifth regional title.
The Vikings will close out their 2006-07 campaign with the 50th Annual NAIA National Championships at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa, on March 2-3.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now