|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vikings fall to #4; face #3 Neb.-Kearney, Chadron State
February 10, 2005
THIS WEEK: The No. 4 Augustana College wrestling team has a big week this week with two important duals on the schedule. The Vikings, 11-2 in duals this season, travel to Chadron, Neb., for a triangular against Chadron State and No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney.
Augustana will face Chadron State at 2 p.m. (MST) before taking on Nebraska-Kearney at 4:30 p.m. The dual between Augie and Nebraska-Kearney shapes up to be one of the better duals in the nation this season. The Vikings have seven nationally-ranked wrestlers listed among their probable starters, while the Lopers have six grapplers who are nationally ranked. Two of the matches features the top 2 ranked wrestlers in the nation. At 125, Augie's No. 2 Aaron Graumann will face UNK's top-ranked Bryce Abbey. Then at 197 pounds, Augie's Tim Boldt (No. 2) squares off against UNK's Jeff Sylvester (No. 1).
LAST WEEK: The Augustana wrestling team went 2-0 last week, picking up wins over Southwest Minnesota State and Minnesota State-Moorhead. The Vikings defeated SMSU 33-14 before edging MSU-Moorhead 24-22. Wrestling without four starters, the Vikings still managed to win seven of the 10 matches against SMSU. They had a more difficult time against the MSUM. Augustana won five matches, but a pin by Tom Meester (184) and a pin by Tim Boldt (197) helped the Vikings overcome an 18-14 deficit.
NATIONAL POLL: Augustana slipped two spots from No. 2 to No. 4 in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association rankings. Defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha has been the No. 1 team all season. Fellow NCC member Minnesota State-Mankato, who knocked off Augustana 20-14, jumped three spots to No. 2. The Vikings were unranked in the preseason poll last season, but jumped to No. 8 in the first regular season poll. They were ranked in the top 10 the rest of the season, finishing No. 6 at the NCAA Championships.
EIGHT VIKINGS NATIONALLY RANKED: Eight Vikings are nationally ranked in their respective weight classes, according to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association individual rankings. Tom Meester is ranked No. 1 at 184 pounds, while Ryan King is No. 1 at 149 pounds. Aaron Graumann is No. 2 at 125 pounds, while Tim Boldt is No. 2 at 197 pounds. Dusty Wilking is No. 5 at 174 pounds. Austin Scarset is No. 6 at 157 pounds, while Cody Henriksen is No. 6 at 165 pounds. Cris Bietz is No. 8 at heavyweight.