INDIANAPOLIS – Augustana wrestling re-entered the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association poll ranking 24th in the final poll before the national tournament. The Vikings also have a season-high four wrestlers ranked: Mitch Rechtzigel (165), Lukas Poloncic (174), Aero Amo (184) and Michael Lowman (285).

The Vikings were receiving votes in previous polls and returned to the top-25 after finishing third in NSIC duals. St. Cloud State remains No. 1 and is followed by Maryville, Nebraska-Kearney, Notre Dame College and Central Oklahoma to round out the top-five.

Augustana finished the dual season 3-6 against teams ranked in the top-25. The Vikings defeated No. 19 Upper Iowa No. 22 Northern State (twice), and fell to No. 1 St. Cloud State, No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney, No. 10 Lindenwood, No. 16 CSU Pueblo, No. 17 Colorado Mesa and No. 19 Minnesota State.

Rechtzigel ranks 12th at 165 pounds and enters the rankings for the first time this season. Rechtzigel finished the regular season with a 14-10 record after seizing the starting position at 165 in February.

Poloncic enters the rankings for the first time this season at 174 pounds at No. 11. Poloncic completed the season with a record of 9-9 and has a signature win over No. 3 Adam Cooling of Minnesota State.

Amo continued to be ranked at 184 pounds, but dropped one spot from No. 5 to No. 6. Amo leads the Vikings with a record of 31-7 and has a team-high 14 falls and six tech falls.

Lowman re-enters the rankings at 285 pounds after being unranked in the previous poll. Lowman is ranked seventh after finishing the regular season 23-8 and going 11-3 in duals.
In the Super Region 3 rankings, Augustana ranks fifth behind St. Cloud State, Maryville, Lindenwood and Upper Iowa.

Vikings Ranked in the Super Region 3 rankings:
125 – Brandon Carroll ranks No. 6
133 – Brandon Charbonneau ranks No. 9
141 – Austin Jordan ranks No. 7
149 – Colin Ayers ranks No. 11
157 – Tyler Nation ranks No. 4
165 – Mitch Rechtzigel ranks No. 4
174 – Lukas Poloncic ranks No. 4
184 – Aero Amo ranks No. 4
197 – Ben Goodwin ranks No. 7
285 – Michael Lowman ranks No. 3

Next up for the Vikings will be postseason wrestling. Augustana will travel to Moorhead, Minn. for the Super Region 3 Championships on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25. Wrestling on Friday begins at 10 a.m.