Augustana University Athletics

Augustana College seniors Aaron Graumann and Tom Meester capped their careers in grand fashion by winning individual national titles and helping the Vikings to a second-place finish at the 2005 NCAA Division II National Wrestling Championships.

Graumann, a senior from Sioux Falls, captured his first national title, by claiming a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Ryan Mazzacco of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Meester, meanwhile, defended his national title at 184 pounds with a 12-2 major decision over Ben McAvinew of Mercyhurst (Pa.).

In the team standings, the Vikings matched their best finish ever by finishing in second place with 101 points. Nebraska-Omaha won its second-straight national crown with 109.5 points.

Augustana captured two individual honors as well. Meester was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler, while head coach Jason Reitmeier was named the Coach of the Year.

After a scoreless first period, Graumann took a 1-0 lead on an escape from the down position. Mazzacco countered with a takedown with 1:07 remaining in the second period. However, Graumann quickly escaped to tie the score 2-2. Graumann nearly had a takedown at the end of the period, but time ran out.

Mazzacco opened the third period with an escape from the down position to take a 3-2 lead wiht 1:57 remaining. It stayed that way until Graumann got his takedown with 20 seconds left. He was able to ride out Mazzacco and win the match.

“I knew I had to give it my all, I wanted it so badly," Graumann said. "There was no way I was going to lose that match. It was a matter of will.

“It’s a great way to end my career, I wish I had been here a few more times," Graumann added. "It wouldn’t have felt the same without (a national title).”

Meester capped his career with his second straight national title. Meester never trailed in the match, scoring five takedowns in the match.

Meester becomes Augustana's second two-time champion, joining Koln Knight, who won titles in 1985 and 1986.

“It’s a great feeling," Meester said. "After winning it last year, I thought I could take some time off and rest a little, but after a few days I started thinking about this year. With the team title race being so close, it made it very exciting. It’s a feeling I’ll never forget.”

Augustana's third finalist Tim Boldt saw his dreams of a national title end when he lost a 5-3 decision to eighth-ranked Corey Jacoby of Shippensburg (Pa.).

Boldt trailed 3-1 after two periods. He cut it to 3-2 with an escape to start the period. However, with 58 seconds left, Jacoby scored another takedown to go ahead 5-2. Boldt escaped with 38 seconds left, but was unable to get a takedown to tie the score.

Augustana, in quest for its first team national championship, advanced three wrestlers to the finals, Nebraska-Omaha sent four to the finals. The Mavericks got wins by Patrick Alibone at 157 pounds, J.D. Naig at 165 pounds and Les Sigman at 285 pounds to hold off the Vikings.

Even though the Vikings finished just shy of the national title, Reitmeier had nothing but praise for his squad.

“I am so proud of these guys," Reitmeier said. They battled hard all year long. We had a lot of injuries during the year, but they didn’t get down. These guys gave everything they had.

“This is they’re program, they built it when they came here four years ago," Reitmeier added about Graumann and Meester. "I am extremely happy with the way they were able to finish their careers. It will be a lot of fun to have them around next year as coaches.”

Final Team Standings
1. Nebraska-Omaha 109.5
2. Augustana 101.0
3. Minnesota State-Mankato 77.5
4. Pittsburgh-Johnstown 73.5
5. Findlay (Ohio) 65.0
6. Nebraska-Kearney 54.5
7. North Carolina-Pembroke 52.5
8. Mercyhurst (Pa.) 48.5
9. Shippensburg 47.5
10. Adams State 45.5

Most Outstanding Wrestler: Tom Meester, Augustana
Coach of the Year: Jason Reitmeier, Augustana

Augustana Results for Session 4:

125 Pounds - #1 Aaron Graumann, Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D.
Finals:#1 Aaron Graumann (Augie) dec. #7 Ryan Mazzacco (Pitt.-Johnstown), 4-3
Graumann wins national championship

184 Pounds - #1 Tom Meester, Sr., Rock Rapids, Iowa
Finals: No. 1 Tom Meester (Augie) major dec. No. 3 Ben McAvinew (Mercyhurst), 12-2
Meester wins his second straight national title.

197 Pounds - #2 Tim Boldt, Jr., Arlington, S.D.
Finals: #8 Corey Jacoby (Shippensburg) dec. #2 Tim Boldt (Augie), 5-3
Boldt finishes as national runner-up.

Other Augustana Placers/All-Americans
141 Pounds: Andre VanderVelde, Fourth Place
149 Pounds: Ryan King, Fourth Place
157 Pounds: Austin Scarset, Seventh Place
165 Pounds: Cody Henriksen, Sixth Place

Augustana Wrestling Accomplishments of 2004:
Highest NCAA Finish: Second; 1977 team also finished second
Most Points Scored at a National Championships: 101
Most National Champions: 2; Augustana had 2 champions in 1980 and 1985
Most All-Americans: 7
Two-Time National Champions: Tom Meester (2004, 2005); matches Koln Knight (1985, 1986)
Most Dual Victories: 14-2