Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State University wrestling team returns to the mat this Thursday for their NSIC opener against Augustana. The Wolves will face off against the Vikings at 7 p.m. in Sioux Falls from the Elmen Center.
Northern is coming off a 2-day competition at the Midwest Classic on December 16 and 17.
Kenny Jones was the lone Wolf to advance to the second day, however fell in the seventh place match due to a season altering injury. The Wolves have been a bit banged up this season but will kick off the New Year with some new faces. NSU welcomes Division I transfer John Frisco from Minnesota as well as Jake Flakus at 184 pounds. Despite being rostered earlier in the season Kaden Campbell is slated for his first match of the season at 174 pound, while
Tanner Olson will return to the mat after a semester break.
About the Vikings
- Augustana is currently ranked No. 21 in the NWCA Rankings
- Two wrestlers are ranked regionally in Brandon Carroll (7th – 125) and Aero Amo (2nd – 184)
- The Vikings are 5-2 overall this season in duals and will also open the league season against NSU
- Oscar Ramirez led the team from the Midwest Classic finishing sixth overall at 149 pounds
- AU is coming off a weekend at the Warrior-Viking Open where Regan Bye finished second at 165 pounds
- Ben Kelvington (165), Lukas Poloncic (174), and Clayton Wahlstrom (197) each tallied third place finishes as well
- Augustana is led by head coach Jason Reitmeier in his 15th season at the helm
Last Match-up
- The Wolves fell to the Vikings 31-15 earlier this season from the SD Showdown
- Kenny Jones, Blake Perryman, and David Murphy tallied wins for the team
- Perryman and Murphy notched the wrestled wins as Jones won by forfeit
- Perryman defeated Regan Bye in an 8-2 decision
- Murphy defeated Lukas Poloncic by fall at 2:21
Probable Line-ups
| Weight |
Augustana Vikings |
Northern State Wolves |
| 125 |
Brandon Carroll or Ethan Cota |
Jay Maxville |
| 133 |
Brayden Curry or Jebben Keyes |
Cortez Castellanos |
| 141 |
Colin Ayers or Austin Jordan |
Griffin Hieb |
| 149 |
Oscar Ramirez or Keaton Schorr |
Josh Moore |
| 157 |
Bruce Lemon |
Tanner Olson |
| 165 |
Regan Bye |
OPEN |
| 174 |
Lukas Poloncic |
Kaden Campbell |
| 184 |
Aero Amo or Austin Ward |
Riley Lura or John Frisco |
| 197 |
Clayton Wahlstrom |
Diego Gallegos |
| 285 |
Luke Nohns |
Justice Horn |
