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January 29, 2004 at Sioux Falls, SD
Led by pins by Dusty Wilking and Tom Meester, the Augustana College wrestling team routed Dakota Wesleyan 46-3 Wednesday night at the Elmen Center.
The Vikings, ranked No. 9 in this week's NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association poll, won five of the six matches that were held to improve to 5-4 in dual meets this season. Dakota Wesleyan did not have wrestlers in the lowest four weight classes, resulting in forfeits and 24 points for the Vikings.
Wilking, ranked No. 4 in the Northern Region Rankings at 174 pounds, wasted little time in disposing of Jake Lambers. Wilking picked up the early takedown and pinned Lambers in just 27 seconds. It was Wilking's 12th pin of the season. Next at 184 pounds, Augustana's Tom Meester, ranked No. 1 in the nation, pinned DWU's Scott Halouska in 6:01 for his 10th fall of the year. Meester improved to 19-2 with the win.
Cody Henriksen added a 10-2 major decision over Scott Loveless at 165 pounds for Augie. Meanwhile, 197-pounder Tyler Bullerman and heavyweight Ray O'Connor registered 3-2 decisions. Bullerman scored a takedown with 1:30 left in the match to take a 3-1 lead over Steven Wood. Wood picked up an escape with just over a minute left, but neither wrestler could gain an edge after that point.
O'Connor won in similar fashion. He led DSU's A.J. Stensrud 3-1 in the third period when Stensrud scored an early escape to make it 3-2 with approximately 90 seconds left in the final period.
Dakota Wesleyan's only victory came at 157 pounds as Dennis Lewis scored an 8-5 decision over Kevin Sobolik.
Augustana returns to the mat on Sunday when the Vikings travel to Fargo, N.D., to take on North Dakota State University. The Bison are ranked No. 1 in this week's Division II poll.