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Vikings jump to #1; head to North Regional on Sunday
February 24, 2005
THIS WEEK: The No. 1 ranked Augustana College wrestling team heads into the postseason on a high note. The Vikings, who took over the top spot in the national poll this week, travel to Marshall, Minn., on Sunday, February 27, to compete in the North Regional Championships. Southwest Minnesota State will serve as the host school. The seven-team tournament will be held in the R/A Facility, beginning with first round action at 11 a.m. The finals are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
The top four placers in each weight class will advance to the NCAA National Championships, scheduled for March 11-12 in Omaha, Neb.
NCC CHAMPIONSHIPS: The North Regional Championships will also serve as the North Central Conference Championships for both individual and team championship purposes. Each individual champion will be recognized as NCC champions, as will the top team in the team standings.
LAST WEEK: Augustana avenged one of its two dual losses by knocking off top-ranked Nebraska-Omaha 20-19 Friday night in Omaha.
Each team won five matches. Aaron Graumann, got a takedown with 18 seconds left in regulation to earn a 5-3 win over Dustin Tovar. Ryan King picked up a big victory 10-8 overtime decision over Shane Unger. King scored a takedown with 18 seconds left in the 1-minute extra period to claim the win. At 174 pounds, fifth-ranked Dusty Wilking pinned Steve Conlin in 4:08 to make the score 14-12. Tom Meester then gave the Vikings the lead with a 16-4 major decision over Nate Oviatt. Tim Boldt, ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds, continued Augustana's momentum with a 14-4 major decision over Ben Strandberg, giving the Vikings a 20-14 advantage.
WILKING EARNS NCC HONOR: Dusty Wilking has been named the North Central Conference Wrestler of the Week for the week ending February 19. He shared the award with Parick Allibone of Nebraska-Omaha. Wilking earned a big win in his only match last week. He pinned Nebraska-Omaha's Steve Conlin in 4:08 to help the Vikings earn a 20-19 dual victory over the Mavericks.
NATIONAL POLLS: Augustana ascended three spots to claim the No. 1 ranking in the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association Top 20 Poll, the final regular season poll of the year. Augustana received five first-place to overtake defending national champion Nebraska-Omaha. UNO received the other three first-place votes. It is the first time the Vikings have been ranked No. 1 in the nation. Augustana had been ranked No. 2 for most of the season, before falling to No. 4 on February 9.
EIGHT VIKINGS NATIONALLY RANKED: Anchored with four No. 1 wreslters, 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 and Ryan King is No. 1 at 149 pounds. Aaron Graumann is now ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds, while Tim Boldt is the new No. 1 at 197 pounds. Dusty Wilking is No. 5 at 174 pounds. Austin Scarset is No. 7 at 157 pounds, while Cody Henriksen is No. 6 at 165 pounds. Cris Bietz is No. 8 at heavyweight.