Augsburg College - Athletics

2008-09 Augsburg College Wrestling Season Preview

General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,948 (2008-09 total, includes undergrad, weekend, graduate)
Nickname: Auggies
School Colors: Maroon and Gray (Pantone 209 maroon, Pantone 424 gray)
Arena: Si Melby Hall
Capacity: 2,200
Affiliation: NCAA Division III
Conference: Independent in wrestling; Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) in all other sports.
President: Dr. Paul C. Pribbenow
Faculty Athletic Representative: Tracy Bibelnieks
Athletic Director: Jeff Swenson
Athletic Phone: 612-330-1249
Athletic Fax: 612-330-1372

History
First year of wrestling: 1949
Years placing in national tournaments: 41
Years in top 10 in national tournaments: 31
Last postseason appearance: 2008 (NCAA Division III third place)
National championships (NCAA Division III): 10 (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007)
National runner-up finishes: 8 (NAIA: 1975; NCAA-III: 1984, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004)
All-time dual-meet record: 579-119

Coaching Staff
Head Coach (Interim): Mark Matzek
Alma Mater/Year: Augsburg 2005
Record at school (yrs): 0-0 (1st year)
Career record: same
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1116
Coach's e-mail: matzek@augsburg.edu

Assistant Coaches
Jared Evans (Assistant Head Coach, Augsburg '07, 2nd year)
Jim Moulsoff (Minnesota '01, 2nd year)
Nick Slack (Augsburg '02, 6th year)
Quincy Osborn (Augsburg '07, 2nd year)
Ryan Rettke (MSU Mankato '01, 4th year)
Jeff Swenson (Augsburg '79, 27th year)
Donny Wichmann (Augsburg '89, 19th year)
John Peterson (Wisconsin-Stout '71, 2nd year)

Sports Information
Sports Information Director (wrestling contact): Don Stoner
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Office phone: 612-330-1677
Cell phone: 612-363-3923

Assistant Sports Information Director/Assistant Athletic Director: Kelly Anderson Diercks
E-mail: diercks@augsburg.edu
Office phone: 612-330-1249

SID Fax: 612-330-1372
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2007-08 Results (Home events in bold, White Team (junior varsity) events noted with (WT))
Sat., Nov. 17, Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, no team results, 5 champions.
Wed., Nov. 21, vs. Augustana College (S.D.), W 34-10.
Sat., Dec. 1, at Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragon Open, no team results, 6 champions.
Tue., Dec. 4, at Southwest Minnesota State University, W 41-3.
Sat., Dec. 8, at St. Cloud State Open (Varsity), no team results, 2 champions.
Sat., Dec. 8, (WT) at Wartburg (Iowa) Dick Walker Invitational, 5th/15 (71.5).
Fri.-Sat., Dec. 28-29, at Sunshine Open Tournament at Lakeland, Fla., no team results, 3 champions/co-champions.
Thu., Jan. 3, vs. Minnesota State University Moorhead, W 25-13.
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 12-13, at NWCA Division III National Dual Meet Tournament (Northern Iowa host), Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Sat., Jan. 12 -- vs. Johns Hopkins University (Md.), W 41-3.
Sat., Jan. 12 -- vs. Coe College (Iowa), W 27-18.
Sun., Jan. 13 -- vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse, L 26-12.
Sun., Jan. 13 -- vs. Delaware Valley (Pa.), W 20-16 (third-place match).
Sat., Jan. 19, at Northwestern (Iowa) Red Raider Invitational, 1st/9 (122.5), 3 champions.
Sat., Jan. 19, (WT) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College-Worthington Open, no team results.
Tue., Jan. 22, at St. John's University, W 35-3.
Fri., Jan. 25, vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha, W 22-15.
Sun., Jan. 27, at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, W 23-14.
Sat., Feb. 2, at Wartburg College (Iowa), L 28-9.
Sat., Feb. 2, (WT) at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational, 3rd/9 (99.5), 2 champions.
Sat., Feb. 9, at St. John's University North Country Open, no team results, 3 champions.
Fri., Feb. 15, vs. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, W 29-16.
Sat., Feb. 23, at NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional at University of Chicago (Ill.), 1st/15 (129.5), 2 champions, 7 national tournament qualifiers.
Fri.-Sat., March 7-8, at NCAA Division III National Championships at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 3rd (87.0), 1 champion, 5 All-Americans.

2008-09 Schedule (Home events in bold, White Team (junior varsity) events noted with (WT))
Sat., Nov. 1, Alumni Night/Parents' Night/Open Practice, 4:30 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 22, Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, 9 a.m.
Wed., Nov. 26, vs. St. John’s University (WT/Varsity), 5/7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 6, at Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon Open, 9 a.m.
Tue., Dec. 9, vs. Southwest Minnesota State University, 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 13, at St. Cloud State University Open, 9 a.m.
Sat., Dec. 13, (WT) at Wartburg (Iowa) Dick Walker Invite, 9 a.m.
Sun.-Mon., Dec. 28-29, Sunshine Open Tourney at Oviedo, Fla., 1 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 3, at Dickinson State University (N.D.) Blue Hawk Classic, 9 a.m.
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 10-11, at NWCA Div. III National Dual-Meet Tournament at UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Fri., Jan. 16, at North Dakota State University, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 17, (WT) at Northwestern College-Orange City (Iowa) Red Raider Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sat., Jan. 17, (WT) at Minnesota West Community and Technical College-Worthington Open, 9 a.m.
Tue., Jan. 20, at Augustana College (S.D.), 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 23, at University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 25, vs. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 2 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 30, vs. Wartburg College (Iowa), 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 31, (WT) at Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sun., Feb. 1, at Minnesota State University Moorhead, 2 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 7, at St. John's North Country Open, 9 a.m.
Fri., Feb. 13, at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 21, at NCAA Div. III Great Lakes Regional at Concordia University-Wisconsin, 9 a.m.
Fri.-Sat., March 6-7, at NCAA Div. III National Championships at U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Player & Team Information
Dual-meet record last year: 10-2
National finish: NCAA Division III third place, 5 All-Americans
Letterwinners returning/lost: 21/9
Starters returning/lost: 6/4
Roster By Year: 4 seniors, 11 juniors, 9 sophomores, 21 first-years. TOTAL: 45.

Returning Key Wrestlers
Seth Flodeen (125, SR, Cannon Falls, Minn.), 2007-08 NCAA Division III national champion at 125 with 25-7 record, 11 pins, 2 technical falls and 1 major decision; 78-27 career record, 2-time All-American; placed 2nd nationally at 125 in 2006-07 with 25-5 record, 7 pins and 7 major decisions; won 2008 national title with 1st-period pin in national championship match.
Jason Adams (JR, 157, Coon Rapids, Minn.), national runner-up in 2007-08 at 141 with 31-9 record, 5 pins, 4 technical falls and 5 major decisions; 51-14 career record; moving up to 157 this season; 20-5 in 2006-07.
Travis Lang (SR. 133. Bismarck, N.D.), 38-4 record in 2007-08 with 21 pins, 4 technical falls and 3 major decisions, finished 5th nationally at 133 in 1st season at Augsburg after transferring from Division I Minnesota; 74-23 career record (38-4 at Augsburg, 36-19 at Minnesota); competed at 2005-06 Big Ten Championships at Minnesota; 4-time North Dakota high school state champion and 5-time North Dakota state tournament qualifier.
Beau Hansen (157, SO, Albert Lea, Minn.), 28-9 record with 7 pins, 1 technical fall and 5 major decisions in 2007-08; qualified for NCAA national tournament in first season at Augsburg.
Brandon Klukow (165, SR, Albert Lea, Minn.), starter at 165 in 2007-08; finished 23-16 with 1 pin and 4 major decisions in 2007-08; career record of 61-37.
Andy Witzel (HWT, JR, Fulda, Minn.), starter at HWT in 2007-08; placed 3rd at 2007-08 Great Lakes Regional; 26-15 record with 4 pins and 4 major decisions in 2007-08; career record of 48-26.

Key Newcomers
Torey Stewart (141, FY, Jackson, Minn./Jackson County Central HS) -- Two-time state tournament champion (Class A 145 in 2008, Class AA 130 in 2006), two-time state tournament runner-up (Class AA 135 in 2007, Class AA 119 in 2005), No. 9 on Amateur Wrestling News Senior All-American list at 145 in 2008, ranked No. 9 in 145 on Wrestling USA Magazine list of 2008 Best High School Seniors and No. 15 in 145 on Wrestling USA list of 2008 Best High School All-Class Wrestlers, listed in "151-200" section of Intermat Top 200 Recruits listing for 2008, 198-23 high school career record, 2007 USA Wrestling All-American in Junior Freestyle National Championships (fourth place at 145).
Tony Valek (141, FY, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West-Jordan/Belle Plaine) -- 2007 state tournament champion (Class AA 135), two-time state tournament placewinner (Class AA 125 third place in 2006), three-time state tournament qualifier (also Class AA 112 in 2005), ranked No. 18 in Wrestling USA Magazine list of 2007 Nation's Best High School Juniors at 135, listed in "151-200" section of Intermat Top 200 Recruits listing for 2008, Guillotine Academic All-State third team in 2008, USA Wrestling Junior Freestyle All-American (seventh place at 140 in 2008).
Josh Roberts (133, FY, Grand Forks, N.D./Central HS) -- 2007 North Dakota Class A state tournament champion (130), four-time North Dakota state tournament placewinner (Class A 130 third place in 2008, Class A 125 second place in 2006, Class A 119 fourth place in 2005), honorable-mention on USA Wrestling Top 30 Juniors list for 130 in 2007, Greco-Roman All-American in 2005 (sixth place at USA Wrestling Cadet Greco-Roman Championships).
Jared Massey (197, JR, Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS) -- Transfer from Division I Wisconsin (competed in 2003-04 season, 5-2 record at 197), four-time state tournament qualifier (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003), two-time state champion (Class AAA 189 in 2003, Class AAA 171 in 2002), 48-0 in 2002-03 season, 49-1 in 2001-02 season, 175-23 record in high school career, including 110 career pins, 2003 Wrestling USA Magazine All-America team.
Brett Landrum (157, SO, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS) -- Transfer from Division I Nebraska (redshirted in 2007-08), two-time state tournament qualifier (Class AAA 160 in 2007, Class AAA 152 in 2006) and 2007 state tournament placewinner (Class AAA 160 third place), two-time section champion and four-time all-conference recipient.
Brad Baus (184, FY, Mukwonago, Wis.) -- Two-time Wisconsin state tournament placewinner (Division I 189 sixth place in 2008, Division I 189 fifth place in 2007) and three-time state tournament qualifier, placed fourth in 189 junior folkstyle class at ASICS/USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals in 2007.

Key Losses
Robbie Gotreau (184), 3-time All-American, finishing 4th nationally at 174 in 2005-06, 5th at 174 in 2006-07 and 3rd at 184 in 2007-08; 31-12 in 2007-08 with 2 pins, 1 technical fall and 8 major decisions; 141-38 in Augsburg career.
George Lynaugh (174), 2-time national tournament qualifier, competed at 184 in 2006-07 and 174 in 2007-08; 24-13 with 2 pins, 4 technical falls and 6 major decisions in 2007-08; 68-26 collegiate career record (61-23 at Augsburg).

Season Outlook and Notes:

MINNEAPOLIS (10/29/08) -- There's a lot of "new" for the Augsburg College wrestling team in 2008-09 -- a new head coach in alumnus Mark Matzek; and a new roster, as 23 of the 45 wrestlers are newcomers to the program, making up one of the largest recruiting and transfer classes in program history.

But just as there will be new, there will also be experience. Six starters and 21 letterwinners, including three All-Americans and four national tournament qualifiers, return to the program. Several veteran coaches will return to the Auggie coaching staff under Matzek.

And most of all, the Auggies' attitude returns in force. A winning attitude that has resulted in 10 NCAA Division III national championships, top-four national finishes each of the last 20 seasons and a dual-meet winning percentage of .829 (579-119) in program history.

As the Auggies begin their 61st season of wrestling, the mantle of leadership for the program falls to Matzek, a two-time national champion (2004, 2005) and three-time All-American as one of the top lightweight wrestlers in program history. Matzek spent three seasons as an assistant coach before assuming head coaching duties in August. Along with a veteran coaching staff, Matzek's goal is simple -- to keep the Auggies upon their lofty perch as one of the premier small-college wrestling programs in the country.

"A realistic goal is to have 10 national qualifiers and 10 national placers," said Matzek, the ninth head coach in Augsburg history. "I'm looking foward to the extreme highs that coaching brings. I'm sure there's going to be some valleys that go along with those hills, but I have the coaching staff in place to help me through those times. Having the coaching staff we have is huge."

After a third-place finish in the NCAA Division III national tournament and a 10-2 dual-meet record last season, the Auggies enter the 2008-09 season ranked No. 2, behind perennial rival and defending national champion Wartburg (Iowa), in the preseason national polls.

National titlist, three All-Americans return
Key among a list of 21 letterwinners returning to the Auggie lineup will be Seth Flodeen (SR, Cannon Falls, Minn.), a two-time All-American who won the 125-pound national title with a dramatic first-period pin in the championship match last season. Coming off a 25-7 record last year and 78-27 career mark, Flodeen is aiming to join a select group of eight Augsburg wrestlers to win multiple national titles.

"Seth's goal is to be a national champion again," Matzek said. "Seth won't be denied. Last year at the national tournament, it was his extreme competitiveness that won him the national title, that sheer drive and determination."

Jason Adams (JR, Coon Rapids, Minn.), who reached the national title match at 141 pounds last season and finished 31-9, will move up two weight classes to 157, where he will face a challenge from returning national tournament qualifier Beau Hansen (SO, Albert Lea, Minn.), who finished 28-9.

At 133, Travis Lang (SR, Bismarck, N.D.), who finished fifth nationally last season in his first year as an Auggie after transferring from Division I Minnesota, returns to make a strong push toward a national title. Lang was 38-4 last year with a team-high 21 pins, and is 74-23 in his collegiate career.

"Travis is going to train as hard as he can and wants to take that next step. Last year, he was an All-American. This year, he wants to be a national champion," Matzek said.

Two other starters also return to the Auggie lineup in 165-pounder Brandon Klukow (SR, Albert Lea, Minn.) and heavyweight Andy Witzel (JR, Fulda, Minn.). Klukow finished 23-16 last year, while Witzel was 26-15. Witzel just missed a berth in the national tournament with a third-place finish at the Great Lakes Regional last year.

"Brandon has three years of experience with the Augsburg program, and his goal this year is to make it through the Great Lakes Regional and to become an All-American. It's his last chance and he understands that, and he's doing everything in his power to make it happen," Matzek said. "Andy Witzel brings a lot of experience from last year to the lineup."

Newcomers will challenge for starting roles
There are several weight classes in the Augsburg lineup where there will be battles for starting roles, and both a strong class of returners and one of the deepest classes of newcomers in school history will make the task of making a starting role in the lineup a challenge.

"We have 21 first-years coming in this year, and that's a testament to the hard work of the coaching staff last spring," Matzek said. "It's both quality and quantity in that class. It's the best of two worlds."

Nowhere is that more evident than in the middle weights, where returners Lucas Murray (SO, Anoka, Minn.), Jake Saatzer (SO, Mound, Minn./Mound-Westonka HS), Zach Hansen (JR, Albert Lea, Minn.) and Johnny Brandtjen (SO, St. Paul, Minn./Simley HS) return at 141 and 149 pounds, and will face strong challenges from newcomers Torey Stewart (FY, Jackson, Minn./Jackson County Central HS), a two-time state champion and four-time state finalist; Tony Valek (FY, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West), a 2007 state champion and three-time state placewinner; Wisconsin high school standout Trevor Dyreson (FY, Deerfield, Wis.), Nathan Lexvold (FY, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) a 2007 Minnesota state titlist and three-time state placewinner; and Minnesota state tourney qualifiers Travis Anderson (FY, White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Justin Koob (FY, New Ulm, Minn.).

At 165, Klukow will face a big challenge from a large group of returners and newcomers. Spencer Flodeen (SO, Cannon Falls, Minn.), Jake Grygelko (JR, Loretto, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS), Krey Cory (SO, New Richland, Minn./NHREG HS), Matt Curtis (JR, Coon Rapids, Minn.) and John MacCormick (JR, Minnetonka, Minn.) all return, along with newcomers Trenton Larrieu (FY, Spring Valley, Wis.), Zach Enrico (FY, Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins HS) and Joe Meyer (FY, Lakeville, Minn./St. Thomas Academy HS). And at 157, Adams and Beau Hansen will be joined by returner and Brett Landrum (SO, Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata HS), a transfer from Division I Nebraska.

Newcomers will also contend for the upper weights. At 174, returner Garrett Long (JR, Cedar, Minn./St. Francis HS) and 165-pounder Curtis will challenge for the spot, along with newcomers Brandon Bahr (FY, Bemidji, Minn.), Josh Kohler (FY, Monticello, Minn.) and Jackson Mboma (FY, Maple Grove, Minn.), all of whom enter the program with state tournament experience. At 184, newcomers Brad Baus (FY, Mukwonago, Wis.), a two-time state placewinner, and Alex Krautkremer (FY, Jordan, Minn./Scott West) will battle for the open spot.

At 197, Jared Massey (JR, Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS), a two-time state champion and four-time state tournament qualifier, joins the Augsburg roster after a four-year absence from collegiate wrestling. He competed his first year (2003-04) at Division I Wisconsin, but Matzek noted that Massey still "has all the physical attributes of a national champion. He's a great athlete. You name it -- he's quick, he's strong, he's fast and he's very experienced."

Massey will face a strong challenge from returners Kris Krier (JR, Woodbury, Minn.) and Andy Peterson (JR, Grand Marais, Minn./Milaca HS), along with newcomers Nick Creamier (FY, Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Mitch Gerold (FY, Braham, Minn.), both of whom have state tournament experience. Returner Tyson Barrett (JR, Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka HS) and newcomer Alex Diaz (FY, Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Eagan HS) will provide a challenge for Witzel at heavyweight.

At 125, Flodeen will be joined by returners Ky Olsen (SO, Kansasville, Wis./Westosha Central HS) and Freddy Vigil (JR, Bakersfield, Calif.), along with newcomer Minh Huynh (FY, Eagan, Minn./Eastview HS), a three-time state tournament qualifier. And at 133, Lang and returner Paul Bjorkstrand (SR, Burnsville, Minn.) will face challenges from Alex Johnson (FY, Foxhome, Minn./Breckenridge HS), Josh Roberts (FY, Grand Forks, N.D./Central HS) and Ben Thone (FY, Fond du Lac, Wis.). Roberts was a North Dakota state champion and four-time state placewinner, Johnson was a two-time state qualifier, and Thone was a two-time Wisconsin state tournament placewinner.

Academic excellence
Augsburg has a tradition of academic excellence in wrestling that is just as strong as the team’s accomplishments on the mat. Last season, the Auggies finished 22nd in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's Scholar All-American team race with a 3.2001 team grade-point average.

Over the last 26 seasons, 103 NWCA Scholar All-Americans, the most of any college in any division in the nation. Augsburg has had at least three Scholar All-Americans every year since 1993, and has had 80 athletes honored since 1997. Augsburg has finished among the top 25 wrestling teams in the Scholar All-American team program every season since it was started in 1998, and has had a team GPA of 3.2 or better every season during the 11 years of the program. Augsburg had the top GPA in the country in the 1999 season (3.480) and finished second three times (1998, 2000, 2006).

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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.

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