Augustana University Athletics

The Augustana College wrestling team is ranked No. 1 in the North Central Region Preseason Rankings. The Vikings have all 10 wrestlers ranked in their respective weight classes, including three wrestlers ranked No. 1.

The Vikings return all 10 starters, including four All-Americans and one national champion, from last year’s team that finished sixth at the 2004 Division II National Championships in Mankato, Minn.

Earning No. 1 rankings are Tom Meester (184), the defending national champion, Ryan King (149) and Dusty Wilking (174). King and Wilking both earned All-America honors last season.

The Vikings, ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II Wrestling Coaches' Preseason Poll, edged Nebraska-Omaha for the top spot in the regional rankings. UNO, the defending national champion and the No. ranked team in the national coaches' poll, has five wrestlers ranked No. 1 in the region, but only has eight wrestlers total in the regional rankings.

Augustana opens the 2004-05 season on Saturday at the Daktronics Open in Brookings, S.D.

Team Rankings
1. Augustana - 73
2. Nebraska-Omaha - 68
3. Minnesota State-Mankato - 46
4. Northern State - 15
5. Minnesota State-Moorhead - 14
6. St. Claoud State - 10
7. Southwest State - 4

Individual Rankings

125 pounds
1. Dustin Tovar (UNO)
2. Aaron Graumann (Augie)
3. Chas Welch (NSU)
4. Brandon Dick (SCSU)

133 pounds
1. Mitch Waite (UNO)
2. Chris Trampe (Augie)
3. Joey Neigum (Mankato)
4. Casey Johnson (SCSU)

141 pounds
1. Eli Dominguez (UNO)
2. Jamie Andersh (NSU)
3. Andre VenderVelde (Augie)
4. Math Bitz (Mankato)

149 pounds
1. Ryan King (Augie)
2. Patrick Allibone (UNO)
3. Jason Rhoten (Mankato)
4. Danny Meyer (Moorhead)

157 pounds
1. Josh Jansen (Moorhead)
2. Austin Scarset (Augie)
3. Sam Donner (Mankato)
4. Shawn Plumley (SWSU)

165 pounds
1. JD Naig (UNO)
2. Cody Henriksen (Augie)
3. Gearge Lynaugh (Mankato)
4. Nate Schutt (SCSU)

174 pounds
1. Dusty Wilking (Augie)
2. Travis Krinkie (Mankato)
3. Andy Sinclair (NSU)
4. Mike Gritti (SCSU)

184 pounds
1. Tom Meester (Augie)
2. Nate Oviatt (UNO)
3. John Koons (Mankato)
4. Tim Johns (SWSU)

197 Pounds
1. Josh Janousek (Mankato)
2. Tim Boldt (Augie)
3. Ben Strandberg (UNO)
4. Mikal Peterson (SCSU)

285 pounds
1. Les Sigman (UNO)
2. Mike Englemann (Mankato)
3. Chris Bietz (Augie)
4. Jordan Vallie (Moorhead)