Augsburg College - Athletics

Augsburg College Athletics 2004-05 Year in Review: Winter Sports

FALL SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW, CLICK HERE
SPRING SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW, CLICK HERE
2004-05 ATHLETIC AWARDS, CLICK HERE

Wrestling (14-1 overall, NCAA Division III national champions, NWCA Division III National Duals champions)

Tying national records with 10 All-Americans, six wrestlers in national championship finals and four wrestlers repeating as individual national champions, the Augsburg College wrestling team claimed its ninth NCAA Division III national championship in the last 15 seasons with a dominating performance in the national tournament March 4-5 at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

Augsburg put together the second-highest point total for any championship team in Division III history, accumulating 162.0 points, outdistancing second-place Wartburg (Iowa) with 104.5 points and breaking Wartburg's two-year hold on the national crown. The point total is the most ever for an Augsburg team at the national championship tournament.

Augsburg claimed 10 All-Americans, a first in program history and the second such occurrence in Division III history. Augsburg head coach Jeff Swenson has guided 143 All-Americans in his 23 years of coaching (1980-84, 1986-present).

"We handed out these little cards that said '10 keys to having 10 All-Americans,' and there were 10 keys on it. One of them was: '10 individual efforts equals a national championship team' and that's what we got," Swenson said. "We've had our goal be many, many times to bring 10 All-Americans, and that's what we did. … This is, without a doubt, one of our top nationals ever."

Marcus LeVesseur (Jr., Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy HS) became just the eighth wrestler in Division III history, and the first in Augsburg history, to win three consecutive national titles, as he claimed the 157-pound crown. His 124-match collegiate unbeaten streak is now the second-longest winning streak in college wrestling history behind the 159 of Cael Sanderson at Iowa State (1998-2002). LeVesseur has yet to lose a collegiate wrestling match.

Augsburg's four repeat national champions all finished their seasons unbeaten, bringing the Auggies' all-time national championship total to 39 in school history -- and a record 35 in Division III competition.

"Not only did they repeat, but they were undefeated champions -- almost unheard of at any level for a guy to do something like that -- and to have a team that had four guys to repeat and go undefeated in that year, just it's mind-boggling," Swenson said. "This will be in the storybooks long after I'm done coaching."

Also repeating as national champions for the Auggies were three-time All-American Mark Matzek (Sr., Ellsworth, Wis.) at 125 pounds, two-time All-American Matt Shankey (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) at 133 and three-time All-American Joe Moon (Sr., Ellendale, Minn./New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva HS) at 174.

Senior Jamell Tidwell (Sr., Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy HS) earned his third All-American honor and finished second for the second year in a row at 141 pounds. Ryan Valek (Jr., Belle Plaine, Minn.) finished second at 165 pounds. Mark Simmonds (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn./Edison HS) finished fourth at heavyweight, Brad Tupa (Jr., Dundas, Minn./Faribault HS) finished fourth at 184, Justin Sorensen (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) finished sixth at 197 and Jared Evans (So., Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS) finished seventh at 149.

Augsburg finished 14-1 on the season in dual meets, earning Swenson his 300th career coaching victory along the way. He is now 302-40 (.883 winning percentage) in his career. Augsburg topped Wartburg twice in dual meets during the season, including a win at the NWCA Division III National Duals in Cleveland in January. Augsburg also beat eventual NCAA Division II national champion Nebraska-Omaha 26-10 in a dual meet in January.

For the eighth year in a row, Augsburg finished in the top 10 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's Scholar All-America team program, finishing sixth among more than 100 NCAA Division III wrestling institutions with a 3.331 team grade-point-average. Augsburg is the only school in NCAA Division III wrestling to finish in the top 10 both in competition on the mat and in the academic team competition in each of the eight years that the NWCA has awarded an academic team national championship.

Earning NWCA Scholar All-American honors were Matzek, Evans, Valek and Sorensen, along with Joe Cullen (Sr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) at 197 pounds, Kirk Rall (Jr., West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) at 165, Josh Hansen (So., Albert Lea, Minn.) at 141 and Jeremiah Knabe (Sr., Jackson, Minn./Jackson County Central HS) at heavyweight.

Matzek and Valek were also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V College Division Men's At-Large First Team in May by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). They were also both named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America squads, Matzek to the first team and Valek to the third team.

Men's Basketball (9-16 overall, 7-13 MIAC--8th/11)

Augsburg finished 9-16 overall, 7-13 in the MIAC in 2004-05. Augsburg opened the season with five wins in its first nine games, including conference wins over St. Olaf, St. Mary’s and conference playoff participant Carleton. However, the Auggies then went on a cold streak in January and February, winning just four of its last 16 contests.

Head coach Brian Ammann, a 17-year veteran of the Augsburg men’s basketball program, resigned from his position on Jan. 31. Assistant coach Gabe Ziegler finished as interim head coach for the final seven games of the season, which included league wins over Hamline and St. John’s. In May 2005, former Chaminade (Hawaii) coach Aaron Griess was named the Auggies’ new head coach.

Forward Lucas Olson-Patterson (Sr., Minneapolis, Minn./ Robbinsdale Cooper HS) earned All-MIAC honors in 2004-05, while also earning All-West Region second-team honors from D3hoops.com. Olson-Patterson became the first Augsburg men’s basketball player since Devean George to earn the MIAC’s scoring title, averaging 21.9 points per game in conference play in 2004-05.

Olson-Patterson also finished third in the conference rankings in rebounding (8.1 rpg), as one of only four players in the league to finish in the top 10 in both the scoring and rebounding rankings. Overall, Olson-Paterson scored 514 points (21.4 per game) and pulled down 198 rebounds (8.3 per game) this season, both team highs.

With just two seniors lost to graduation and the bulk of the lineup returning in 2005-06, prospects are positive for Augsburg to shine in the future. Shooting guard Dan Graf (So., Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS) averaged 10.6 points per game in 2004-05, hitting nearly 44 percent from the field and 67 percent from three-point range. He also averaged 4.4 rebounds per game. Point guard Kevin Keto (So., Forest lake, Minn.) averaged 3.6 assists and almost two steals per game, while contributing 6.2 points per contest.

Other key players for the Auggies included guards Justin Kozlowski (Fr., Wausau, Wis./Wausau Newman HS), Charlie Scott (So., Ely, Minn.), Devin Rose (Fr., Granton, Wis.) and Aaron Benesh (Jr., Oconto, Wis.); forwards Zeph Jones (Jr., Flint, Mich./Flint Central HS) and Justin Olson (Fr., Lakeville, Minn.); and center Zac Rosen (Sr., Plymouth, Minn./West Lutheran HS).

Women's Basketball (4-19 overall, 4-16 MIAC--t9th/12)

In 2004-2005, Augsburg finished 4-19 overall, 4-16 in the MIAC, considered the toughest conference in the country in NCAA Division III women's basketball. Augsburg completed its first season under new head coach Jennifer Britz.

After a slow 0-13 start to the first half of the season, the Auggies rallied to win four of their last nine games of the season, with victories over St. Olaf (67-58), Bethel (73-65), Hamline (70-62) and MIAC playoff participant Gustavus (69-65) on the road. The victory over Gustavus broke a 16-game, nine-season losing streak to the Gusties.

The Auggies were led by senior forward Katie Kelsey (Sr., Burnsville, Minn), who earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors. Kelsey led the Auggies in scoring this season, with 226 points (9.8 per game), while ranking second in rebounds with 117 (5.1 per game). She started 21 of Augsburg's 23 games, and also contributed 32 assists, 17 steals and 19 blocked shots. She ended her final season ranking 30th in MIAC play in scoring (9.7 per game in conference games) and 15th in rebounding (5.6 per game).

In her four-year career at Augsburg, Kelsey appeared in 78 career games, starting 59. She appeared in every Augsburg game her final three seasons. She finished her career with 572 points (7.3 per game), 339 rebounds (4.3 per game), 103 assists, 50 steals and 66 blocked shots. The blocked shots total is third-best in a career in school history.

With the Auggies returning a majority of the roster for the 2005-06 season, they are looking to continue their positive moves up the conference ladder.

Point guard Kristina Lurken (Fr., Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) was the lone Auggie to start all 23 games, contributing 7.3 pionts, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 rebounds per game. Shooting guard Rosinta Stromquist (Jr., Brooklyn Park, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper HS) averaged 8.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, and forward Katie LaGrave (Fr., Okinawa, Japan/Kadena HS) averaged 7.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Other key contributors for the Auggies included guard Rachel Cherry (Jr., Rosemount, Minn.); forward Alissa Blood (So., Mounds View, Minn./ Irondale HS) and centers Lia Ragozzino (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn./ Southwest HS) and Hannah Bratzel (Fr., St. Paul, Minn./CHOF HS).

Men's Hockey (8-12-5 overall, 5-8-3 MIAC--7th/9)

The Augsburg men’s hockey team, coached by Mike Schwartz, finished 8-12-5 overall and 5-8-3 in MIAC play, finishing in a sixth-place tie in league play. The Auggie club was a young one, with just three seniors (two on varsity), and 22 letterwinners with varsity experience will return next season.

Augsburg started the 2004-05 season strong, winning six of its first 13 games to stand at 6-5-2 at the holiday break. But the Auggies won just two of their final 12 games in January and February to fall out of contention for the conference’s postseason playoffs.

Augsburg's Steve Collova (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.), Aaron Johnson (So., Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong HS) and Critter Nagurski (So., International Falls, Minn.) earned All-MIAC first-team recognition, while teammate Danny Carlson (Fr., Roseville, Minn.) was named honorable-mention All-MIAC and to the MIAC's All-Rookie Team. Nagurski was an All-MIAC honorable-mention selection last season, while the all-conference honors are a first for Collova, Johnson and Carlson.

Nagurski, a forward, was the MIAC’s leading goal-scorer this year (14 goals in league play), and finished second in the league in total scoring (26 points). He ranked second on the team in overall scoring (32 points), with a team-high 17 goals. He had a team-high seven power-play goals (a conference-high six in MIAC games) and two shorthanded goals. He scored at least one goal or assist in 17 of Augsburg's 25 games this season, including a six-point (two goals, four assists) weekend in Augsburg's split with Concordia-Moorhead Dec. 3-4.

Johnson, a forward, led the MIAC in assists this season (20 in league play) and ranked fourth in league play in total scoring (23 points). Overall, Johnson led the Auggies in total scoring (35 points, 10 goals), and his 25 assists led the club. His assist total ranked ninth-best nationally among Division III players, and his point total ranked 33rd-best nationally. He had four power-play goals, two shorthanded goals and one game-winner, and he had at least one goal or assist in 20 of Augsburg's 25 games, including a stretch of nine games in a row midway through the season.

Collova, a defender, ranked fourth on the team in scoring (20 points, 14 assists) and ranked second among conference defensemen in both scoring (15 points in league play) and assists (10). He had five power-play goals this season, and scored at least one goal or assist in 11 of the 21 games he played in this season.

Carlson, a forward, was third on the team in scoring (27 points) and tied for third among conference freshmen in scoring in league play (17 points), including a freshman conference-high 15 assists, a total that also ranked fifth-best among all conference players. He ranked 16th overall in league total scoring, and 18th nationally in total scoring among rookies. He had a goal or assist in 17 of his 25 games this season, including six multiple-assist games.

Women's Hockey (13-10-3 overall, 10-7-1 MIAC--4th/10, playoff qualifier)

The Augsburg women’s hockey team, coached by Jill Pohtilla, celebrated its 10th anniversary season in 2004-05. Augsburg is the oldest collegiate women’s hockey program in the Midwest. Augsburg finished 13-10-3 overall, 10-7-1 in MIAC play, earning a spot in the MIAC’s postseason playoffs for the third season in a row, with a home game as the fourth seed in the playoffs. Augsburg had winning streaks of five, four and three games during the course of the season.

Forwards Stacy Anderson (So., Lafayette, Calif./Marina HS), Lauren Chezick (Sr., Hastings, Minn.) and Jocelyn Cookson (Jr., Edina, Minn./Bloomington Jefferson HS), and defender Melynda Kleewein (Sr., Anchorage, Alaska/Dimond HS) earned All-MIAC first-team recognition, while defender Laura Prasek (Sr., Fridley, Minn.) was named honorable-mention All-MIAC and goalie Amanda Bockmann (Fr., Wind Lake, Wis./Muskego HS) was named to the MIAC's All-Rookie Team.

Chezick became the sixth player in MIAC women’s hockey history to earn four all-conference first-team honors when she was named to the conference's elite squad this season. A veteran of 102 career games as an Auggie, Chezick finished her career holding Augsburg’s career records for total scoring (137) and assists (82), while standing second in all-time goals (55). This season, Chezick finished third on the team in scoring (eight goals, 16 assists, 24 points), with at least a goal or assist in 14 games this season.

Kleewein earned All-MIAC first-team recognition for the third straight year. She was also an honorable-mention all-conference honoree her freshman year. In her 103-game career, Kleewein finished fourth in school history in total scoring (77 points) and had the second-most assists in school history (66; Chezick’s 82 is the record), both also the most for any defender in school history. Her 21 assists this season rank as the fifth-most in a single-season in school history (Chezick’s 32 in 2003 is the record) and was good for 10th-best nationally among Division III players. Her point total (23) was ninth-best among defenders nationally. She tied for 18th in MIAC play in total scoring (17 points in conference play) and seventh in assists (15), her assist total second-best among conference defenders and her point total fourth-best.

Anderson was named to the All-MIAC first team for the first time, after earning honorable-mention All-MIAC and MIAC All-Rookie Team recognition last season. Anderson led the Auggies in scoring this season (18 goals, 18 assists, 36 points), a total that put her 18th-best nationally. She led the team with six power-play goals (seventh-best nationally), two shorthanded goals and six game-winning goals. In league play, Anderson ranked 11th in total scoring (21 points in league play), 12th in goals (11) and 13th in assists (10). In 53 career games over two seasons, Anderson has 70 points (34 goals, 36 assists), putting her fifth in school history in total scoring.

Cookson, a transfer from Division I Wisconsin, ranked second on the team in scoring with 29 points (18 goals, 11 assists), including five power-play goals and two shorthanded tallies. Her points total ranked 29th nationally and her goals total ranked 18th-best nationally. In MIAC play, Cookson ranked 18th in total scoring (17 points in league play), ninth in goals (13) and fifth in power-play goals (4). Cookson earned MIAC Player of the Week honors twice this season, once for a four-goal weekend -- including three goals on special team situations -- in Augsburg's Jan. 21-22 sweep of St. Benedict, and once for a five-point weekend against St. Catherine (Dec. 10-11), in which she was also named U.S. College Hockey Online Division III National Player of the Week (offense).

Prasek earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors for the second time in her career, also earning the honor in the 2002-03 season. She finished with 10 points (six goals, four assists), including five power-play goals and two game-winners. She scored two power-play goals in a 3-2 Augsburg win over Amherst (Mass.) on Jan. 15, and notched the lone goal of the game in a 1-0 win at Hamline on Feb. 26. In 89 career games in her Augsburg career, Prasek finished with 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists), including six power-play goals and four game-winners.

Bockmann stepped into the role as Augsburg's top goalie this season, finishing her inaugural campaign with a 7-7-2 record, 2.54 goals-against-average (25th-best nationally) and .904 save percentage (29th-best nationally) in 17 game appearances, including one shutout. Her 2.33 league GAA ranked fifth-best, while her .901 league save percentage was seventh-best.

Women's Swimming (11th/11 at MIAC meet)

Augsburg's newest varsity sport -- its 18th overall and ninth for women -- is women's swimming, which finished its second season under head coach Charlie King in 2004-05. King resigned following the 2004-05 season to pursue his master's degree.

The Auggies continued to show strong improvement this season. After finishing the season with only four swimmers last year, Augsburg saw its roster grow to as many as 14 during this season. And those swimmers have produced dramatic time improvements, as the Auggies set 25 individual and 10 relay school records this season.

Augsburg finished 11th at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships in February with 81 points, just 12 points behind 10th-place St. Mary's. Augsburg swimmers had their best MIAC meet performance in the history of the varsity program, setting 18 individual personal bests on the championship weekend.

At the conference championships, Kasi Clauson (So., Kansas, Okla./Cookson Hills Christian HS) made the B-finals in two events and set three individual school records, finishing 11th overall in the women's 100-yard breaststroke in a school-record 1:12.50 and finishing 12th in the 100-yard butterfly in a school-record 1:02.77, knocking more than three seconds off her old school record. Clauson also just missed out on a spot in the B-final in the 200-yard butterfly, finishing 17th in the preliminaries in 2:24.81, cutting more than four seconds off her previous school record.

Dani Matzke (Fr., Faribault, Minn.) set a new school record in the 50-yard freestyle (26.85) at the conference meet, while Leah Haan (Fr., Burnsville, Minn./Minnehaha Academy HS) set a new school mark in the 200-yard backstroke (2:36.07), taking 21 seconds off her previous best time in the event.

Trudy Pommerening (Fr., Bemidji, Minn.), Joann Anderson (Jr., Eagan, Minn./Burnsville HS), Lindsey Persons (So., Wayzata, Minn./Orono HS), Maria Schmidt (Fr., Elk River, Minn.) and Jennifer Winter (Fr., Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS) also competed for the Auggies at the MIAC meet.

To return to Augsburg Athletics, click here

Augsburg College, a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III.

This is the official web site for Augsburg College athletics.
All comments or questions regarding this web site should be directed to Sports Information Coordinator Don Stoner -- E-mail: stoner@augsburg.edu Phone: (612) 330-1677.