SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- After taking third as a team at the NCAA Super Region 5 Tournament, Augustana wrestling's Hunter Burnett, Steven Hajas and Ben Kelvington are ready for the big show this weekend at the NCAA Division II Championships. 

The Event
Augustana University along with the Sioux Falls Sports Authority are set to host the championships at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. Wrestling starts at 11 a.m. on Friday with session I while session II begins at 5 p.m. The event picks up at 10 a.m. on Saturday with session III followed by the championships session at 7 p.m. The full schedule of events can be found here. 

The National Qualifiers

141 Pounds - No. 9 Hunter Burnett - Redshirt freshman - Pipestone, Minnesota
At the NCAA Super Region 5 Tournament, Burnett, ranked No. 9 at 141 pounds, advanced to the semifinal match after a dominating performance in the quarterfinals, an 18-3 tech fall over Minot State's William Horton-Hayden. Burnett then punched his ticket to the championships with a 9-8 win over MSU Moorhead's Mason Schulz. Burnett ended the day as the regional runner-up after falling in the first-place match.

"Hunter is extremely excited about the opportunity to compete at the national tournament as a freshman," head coach Jason Reitmeier said. "He hasn't changed a thing with his mindset and training all year long. He has stayed consistent in everything he does in life. Hunter is a fighter and will do whatever it takes to succeed."

174 Pounds - No. 9 Ben Kelvington - Senior - Jordan, Minnesota
After being upset in his opening match at the region tournament, Kelvington, ranked No. 9 at 174 pounds, was forced to win out in order to qualify for nationals. He did just that with three-straight victories, culminating in a consolation championship while earning third-place in the region. 

The senior's winning run started with a 14-1 major decision over Southwest Minnesota State's Hayden Voxland. In the consolation semifinal, Kelvington pulled away from Minnesota State's Zach Johnston in a 13-6 major decision win. The senior then defeated Upper Iowa's Myron Crawford in the consolation final with a dramatic takedown in overtime to punch his ticket to the championships.

"Ben has been dreaming of this moment since they announced nationals being held in Sioux Falls," Reitmeier said. "He has talked about finishing his wrestling career in Sioux Falls, at the National Championships on the podium and I'm excited to watch him do it."

285 Pounds - Steven Hajas - Redshirt freshman - Delano, Minnesota
Viking heavyweight Steven Hajas pinned Minnesota State's David Griffet at 6:40 in the quarterfinal bout to advance to the semifinal match of the NCAA Super Region 5 Tournament. Hajas then defeated St. Cloud State's Ezayah Oropeza with a ferocious last-minute takedown for a 6-4 victory, punching his ticket to nationals. The redshirt freshman also finished the night as the regional runner-up after falling in the first-place match. 

"Steven has gone through a lot in the last year and seeing him compete this year has been fantastic," Reitmeier said. "He sees his potential and wants more. He has the talent to be an All-American, to be a National Champion."

One Last Thing
The Championship will determine the Division II All-America team with the top eight finishers in each weight class qualifying for All-America status.