The Augustana wrestling team won its final non-conference dual of the season by defeating Dakota Wesleyan 40-9 Thursday night in Mitchell, S.D.

The Vikings, now 10-4 in duals this year and ranked sixth in the nation in NCAA Division II, won five of the six contested matches and were the beneficiary of winning three of the remaining bouts by forfeit.

Two of Augustana’s wins came via pins. At 174 pounds, Matt Morris pinned Blake Hodne Hodne in 5:22. Then at 285 pounds, Augie’s Lance Peters managed to pin Kyle Henderson in 4:02.

Augustana’s Nate Herda continued his late-season surge. Ranked fifth in the nation at 149 pounds, Herda scored a 21-8 major decision over Danny Hutcheson to bring his season record to 20-6.

Gavin Nelson remained unbeaten on the season when he edged DWU’s Tanner LaValliere 6-4 in the 165-pound match. Nelson is now 14-0. At 157 pounds, Kyle Svendsen picked up a 6-2 decision over the Tigers’ Noah Ruml.

In a matchup of two nationally-ranked 141-pounders, Dakota Wesleyan’s Jordan Harer, who is ranked seventh in NAIA, scored a 5-1 decision over Augustana’s Jay Sherer, who is ranked seventh in Division II.

Earning wins for the Vikings via forfeits were Al Meger at 125 pounds, Casey Mouw at 184 pounds and Luke Heine at 197 pounds. DWU’s 133-pounder, Malik Stewart, also won by forfeit.

Augustana returns to the mat on Sunday when the Vikings travel to Fayette, Iowa, for a showdown against No. 3 Upper Iowa. First place in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings will be on the line as the Vikings and Peacocks sit atop the league standings with 5-0 records. The dual begins at 2 p.m.

February 4, 2010 at Mitchell, SD

#6 Augustana 40, Dakota Wesleyan 9
125: Al Meger (Augie) won by forfeit
133: Malik Stewart (DWU) won by forfeit
141: #7 Jordan Harer (DWU) dec. #7 Jay Sherer (Augie), 5-1
149: #5 Nate Herda (A20-6) major dec. Danny Hutcheson (DWU), 21-8
157: Kyle Svendsen (Augie) dec. Noah Ruml (DWU), 6-2
165: Gavin Nelson (Augie) dec. Tanner LaValliere (DWU), 6-4
174: Matt Morris (Augie) pinned Blake Hodne (DWU), 5:22
184: Casey Mouw (Augie) won by forfeit
197: Luke Heine (Augie) won by forfeit
285: Lance Peters (Augie) pinned Kyle Henderson (DWU), 4:02