Trio of Augustana wrestlers
selected for Collegiate All-Star Challenge
December 8, 2006
Three Augustana
College wrestlers - Austin Scarset, Cody Henriksen and Nate Buys -
are among the group of the finest college wrestlers from around the
country are set to compete in the inaugural Collegiate All-Star
Challenge on Saturday, December 30, in Sioux City, Iowa. The challenge
will start at 7 p.m. at the Long Lines Center, adjacent to the Tyson
Events Center.
The event will feature clashes between top-ranked wrestlers from NCAA
Division II and Division III, the NAIA and the nation's junior colleges
in each of 10 weight classes. Four returning national champions and
four No. 1 ranked wrestlers currently headline the lineup.
In the latest NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Association national
rankings, all three Vikings are nationally ranked. Scarset, who
finished fourth at 157 pounds in 2006, is ranked third at 157 pounds.
Henriksen, who finished fourth at 165 pounds in 2006, is ranked seventh
at 174 pounds, while Buys, a seventh-place finisher at 184 pounds in
2006, is ranked third at 197 pounds.
Buys, the 2004 junior college national runner-up at 197 pounds, is the
only Viking who has a match scheduled. He will face Jesse Laber of the
University of Mary. Laber won the 2005 NAIA national title at 197
pounds.
"This is another great honor not only for Austin, Cody and Nate, but
for Augustana College," head coach Jason Reitmeier said. "To have three
student-athletes selected to a nationwide all-star dual is quite an
accomplishment. I am extremely proud of these three individuals and am
looking forward to them competing in this event."
"The response by the national wrestling community to this event has
been phenomenal. What a fantastic way for wrestling fans to honor these
great athletes for their hard work and dedication to the sport," stated
Tim Tushla, Event Director. "The Siouxland area has demonstrated
tremendous support for wrestling events such as the NAIA National
Tournament and the USA Wrestling World Team Trials, we expect nothing
less for the Collegiate All-Star Challenge."
All tickets are general admission and will be available only at the
door. Adult tickets are $10 and children under age 12 are $5.
Confirmed Matches (individual ranking
in parentheses):
133 pounds: (2) Jestin Hulegaard - Buena Vista vs. (3) Burke Barnes -
Dana
141 pounds: (3) Terrance Almond - Dana vs. (4) Chris Frejie - Western
State
149 pounds: (1) Mark Dickman - Lindenwood vs. (1) Mikel Delk - Ft. Hays
State
165 pounds: (1) Jake Dieffenbach - Lindenwood vs. (6) Blake Peterson -
Truman State
197 pounds: (2) Nate Buys - Augustana vs. Jesse Laber - Mary
285 pounds: (1) Sam Sand - Jamestown vs. (3) Andrew Ubben - Ft. Hays
State
Other wrestlers slated to participate
include: (1) Jasper Lockett - Missouri Valley, (1) Andrew
Lacroix - Roger Williams, (2) Abel Trujillo - William Penn, (3) Joe
Soto - Iowa Central, (3) Austin Scarset - Augustana and (5) Cody
Henriksen - Augustana.