MANKATO, Minn. – Action came down to the final weight class of the afternoon and did not disappoint, as a victory at 285 pounds completed the comeback for Augustana and secured the 19-17 win over Minnesota State on Saturday.
 
AU improves to 8-8 overall and 5-2 in NSIC action while the Mavericks drop to 7-4 and 4-3.
 
In a strong start to the night at 125, Jaxson Rohman logged a takedown in the first 50 seconds and added in another to hold the 6-1 lead at the end of the period. He pushed on the gas to add in three takedowns and an escape in the second before scoring on a takedown in the third to force the tech fall victory. With an extra point for ride time, Rohman won 20-4.
 
It was a scoreless first period at 149 pounds and nearly second period, until No. 2 Cael Larson grabbed the takedown with five seconds remaining. A quick escape in the third period was joined by another takedown, helping Larson to the 7-0 decision.
 
Payton Handevidt faced the No. 15 wrestler in the country at 165 pounds and took the lead with a first period takedown. MSU took the lead off an escape and a takedown but an AU escape tied it up 4-4 heading into the third. Handevidt then grinded out an escape and two takedowns to jump ahead and claim the 11-5 ranked victory.
 
With the Vikings behind 17-11, No. 4 Max Ramberg hit the mat at 197 and put on an absolute clinic. He dominated the first period with a takedown and two four-point nearfalls to convincingly hold the 11-0 lead. The strength continued in the second period with another four-point nearfall, ending the match in 3:40 for the 15-0 tech fall.
 
The final—and deciding—match of the night was 285 pounds with Minnesota State sitting ahead 17-16. A scoreless first period led to Max Balow electing to start down in the second, where he scored first with an escape and earned another off a stalling point. Despite giving up an escape to start the third, Balow secured the individual and team dual victory with an escape for the 5-1 decision.
 
FULL RESULTS
125: No. 3 Jaxson Rohman (AUG) over Jacob Fitzpatrick (MSU) (TF 20-4 6:48)
133: Chase Beckket (MSU) over Owen Hansen (AUG) (TF 18-2 6:11)
141: Colton Hush (MSU) over Alex Mentzer (AUG) (Dec. 3-1)
149: No. 2 Cael Larson (AUG) over Isaiah Mlsna (MSU) (Dec. 7-0)
157: Caleb Meunier (MSU) over No. 6 Connor Simmonds (AUG) (Dec. 6-3)
165: Payton Handevidt (AUG) over No. 15 Kole Marko (MSU) (MD 11-2)
174: No. 6 Drake Hayward (MSU) over Josh Wagener (AUG) (Dec. 9-3)
184: Evan Farley (MSU) over Gavin Gulbranson (AUG) (Dec. 7-4)
197: No. 4 Max Ramberg (AUG) over Jesus Gonzalez (MSU) (TF 17-0 3:40)
285: Max Balow (AUG) over Callen Smithpeter (MSU) (Dec. 5-1)
 
UP NEXT
Augustana returns home to host in-town rival Sioux Falls on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. for Senior Day festivities inside the Elmen Center.