SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- The Augustana wrestling team closes the 2023 calendar year at the Elmen Center, welcoming Nebraska-Kearney for a 3 p.m., dual. 

Complete action can be followed on GoAugie.com/Live and the GoAugie app, presented by The Original Pancake House. The app can be downloaded in the App Store or Google Play. 

The Lopers
Nebraska-Kearney is 3-2 in duals, with their last coming Dec. 8 against Chadron State. The Lopers were selected to finish second in the MIAA Preseason Poll

Nebraska-Kearney is nationally ranked at No. 10 as a team with five individually ranked wrestlers. Nick James is ranked No. 4 at 141 pounds, while Billy Higgins is also ranked No. 4 at 184 pounds. Crew Howard is the No. 5 285 pounder, Jacobi Deal is No. 9 at 174, and Jackson Kinsella is the 10th-ranked 197.

The Vikings
The Vikings hold a record of 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the NSIC after a victory at No. 13 Northern State and a close loss at home against No. 7 Wisconsin Parkside. The Vikings had three ranked victories against UWP, as Jaxson Rohman defeated No. 3 Shane Corrigan, Cael Larson defeated No. 6 Jalen Spuhler, and Cade Mueller defeated No. 5-ranked and defending Super Region V champion Reese Worachek.

Mueller also had a victory on Thursday night against No. 11 (Open Mat) Treyton Cacek. The two victories helped boost Mueller to NSIC Wrestler of the Week honors. It was the first weekly honor for the Vikings this season, and the second career honor for Mueller. 

Two Vikings were individually ranked in the latest NWCA rankings. Jaxson Rohman remains steady at the top spot in the poll at 125 pounds. Rohman is 5-1 this season with a pin and three tech falls. Hunter Burnett ranks No. 10 at 141 pounds and is yet to wrestle this season. Augustana is tied for 18th in the NWCA team rankings. 

Lineups
Wt. Augustana Vikings Probable Starters
125 Jaxson Rohman (Jr.) 
133 Jack Huffman (Sr.)
OR Thurman Christensen (So.)
141 Hunter Burnett (Sr.)
OR Kade Sammons (So.)
149 Kyle Boeke (R-So.) 
OR Cael Larson (R-So.)
157 Payton Handevidt (R-Fr.)
165 Tyler Wagener (Sr.)
174 Coy Gunderson (R-Fr.)
184 Cade Mueller (R-Jr.)
197 Max Ramberg (R-So.)
285 Max Balow (R-Fr.)