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North Dakota State, the unanimous No. 1 pick in Wednesday‚s Division II wrestling coaches poll, will return to North Central Conference action Sunday at 2 p.m. against ninth-ranked Augustana College at the Bison Sports Arena.
THE SERIES: This will be the 39th meeting between Augustana and North Dakota State. The Bison lead the series 35-3. NDSU won the first 12 meetings of the series and has won the last 19 straight, including an 18-17 nail-biter in Sioux Falls last year. Augustana‚s last win in the series was a 22-18 triumph in Sioux Falls during the 1983-84 season. The Bison and Vikings first met during the 1963-64 year.
ABOUT AUGUSTANA: The Vikings are 4-4 on the season heading into a home dual meet tonight against Dakota Wesleyan. Augustana has three ranked wrestlers--Tom Meester first at 184 pounds, Ryan King third at 149, and Aaron Graumann sixth at 125. King leads the squad with 21 victories and Meester is a perfect 8-0 in duals.
BITZ MAY BE OUT: The status of North Dakota State 141-pounder Mathias Bitz is unknown after sustaining a wrist injury Tuesday at Augsburg. Bitz is 17-10 on the year and ranked eighth in Division II. If he can't go, the Bison will simply fill in with two-time All-American Lucas Christianson, who's wrestled at 133 and 141 pounds this year for an 11-5 record.
BISON WINNING STREAKS: The Bison have a 14-match overall winning streak intact dating back to last season. North Dakota State is 3-0 on its home mat this year and the Bison have won 15 straight duals at the Bison Sports Arena dating back to the 2000-01 season when Division III power Augsburg defeated NDSU 19-12 in Fargo.
NCC WINNING STREAK: North Dakota State is 2-0 in the North Central Conference this year, and the Bison have won 18 straight matches in the conference dating back to a 22-12 loss at Nebraska-Omaha in 2000-01.
STEVENS, KRAEMER REACH 20: Sophomore 149-pounder Zach Stevens was the first Bison wrestler to reach 20 wins this year, and Brian Kraemer (197) joined him Tuesday night with his 20th victory at Augsburg. Stevens has won 12 matches in a row including an 9-0 mark in dual meets. He is 21-5 overall with one win by fall.
BRYCE KEY CONTRIBUTOR: Bison heavyweight Joe Bryce has been a stronghold in the NDSU lineup the past few weeks. Bryce has won 11 of his last 13 matches with the only losses coming to the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked wrestlers in Division II. Bryce is third in the latest rankings. His 5-1 overtime win at Augsburg on Tuesday ensured NDSU's 18-13 win over the Auggies.
CAREER WIN LIST CHASE: Three senior Bison wrestlers this season are closing in on NDSU's top 10 list for career victories. Brian Kraemer (90-43), Paul Carlson (88-36) and Mike Fiedler (86-32) are the wrestlers in reach of the top 10 at North Dakota State. Tenth place is 97 wins, belonging to Matt Strawser (1999-2003).
AROUND THE NORTH CENTRAL CONFERENCE:
North Dakota State is alone in first place in the North Central Conference with a 2-0 record. The team with the best dual-meet record at the end of the season will be crowned the conference champion.
DIVISION II POLLS:
North Dakota State has been the No. 1 team all year in Division II according to the rankings issued by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. NDSU received all eight first-place votes in the latest report, issued Wednesday, Jan. 28.