Contact: Bruce Conley, Associate Director of College Relations
Phone: (605) 274-5526
Fax: (605) 274-4903
www.augie.edu

February 28, 2005


Aaron Graumann won the 125-pound weight class
and was named the North Regional Outstanding Wrestler

Augustana Wins North Regional Wrestling Championship

SIOUX FALLS – Augustana College crowned three individual champions and claimed the team title at the NCAA North Regional Championships Sunday in Marshall, Minn.

Living up to their No. 1 ranking in NCAA Division II, the Vikings won the team championship with 109 points. The University of Nebraska-Omaha, ranked No. 2 nationally, captured runner-up honors with 99 points. No. 4 Minnesota State-Mankato finished third with 84.

“I’m elated,” said Augustana head coach Jason Reitmeier. “I don’t know what to say. This is exciting. We wrestled really well today. Our guys went out and got some big points when they had the chance. Overall, we’re the only team to qualify all 10 wrestlers for nationals, so hopefully that will benefit us.” Reitmeier, in just his second season at the Augie helm, was named North Region Coach of the Year.

Augie’s Aaron Graumann (Sioux Falls), ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds, scored a dramatic 4-3 win in double overtime against UNO’s Dusty Tovar. The score was tied at 2-2 when Graumann recorded a takedown with seven seconds left. Graumann went 3-0 for the day and was named the meet’s outstanding wrestler.

“There’s a lot of deserving guys, so I feel very fortunate to have been picked,” Graumann said. “This is great momentum. It will be a lot easier going back to the wrestling room and work hard coming off a win like this.”

Also claiming championships for Augie were top-ranked Ryan King (Le Roy, MN) at 149 pounds, and Tom Meester (Rock Rapids, IA), the No.1 ranked wrestler at 184 pounds.
The four Vikings who placed second were Austin Scarset (Westbrook, MN) at 157; Cody Henriksen (Arlington, SD) at 165; Dusty Wilking (Lakefield, MN) at 174, and Tim Boldt (Arlington, SD) at 197.

Justin Bohlke (Kingsley, IA) at 133, Andre Vander Velde (Council Bluffs, IA) at 141, and heavyweight Cris Bietz (Rapid City, SD) all finished fourth.

The top four placers in each weight class advance to the NCAA Championships March 11-12 in Omaha, Neb.

For more information and to view the full release in detail, visit goaugie.com