General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,785 (2006-07 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: Phil Quanbeck II
Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation: Jeff Swenson
Athletic Director: Paul Grauer (men), Marilyn Florian (women)
Athletic Phone: 612-330-1249
Athletic Fax: 612-330-1372

History
First year of wrestling: 1949
Years placing in national tournaments: 39
Years in top 10 in national tournaments: 29
Last postseason appearance: 2006 (NCAA Division III third place)
National championships (NCAA Division III): 9 (1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005)
National runner-up finishes: 8 (NAIA: 1975; NCAA-III: 1984, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2004)
All-time dual-meet record: 558-116

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jeff Swenson (25rd year at Augsburg, 28th year of coaching)
Alma Mater/Year: Augsburg 1979
Record at school (yrs): 310-43 (24 years)
Career record: same
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1241
Coach's e-mail: swensonj@augsburg.edu

Assistant Coaches
Sam Barber (associate head coach, Upper Iowa '95, 6th year)
Scott Whirley (assistant head coach, Augsburg '82, 22nd year)
Donny Wichmann (assistant head coach, Augsburg '89, 18th year)
Nick Slack (Augsburg '02, 5th year)
Mike Uker (Iowa '98, 4th year)
Mark Matzek (Augsburg '05, 2nd year)
Jamell Tidwell (Augsburg '05, 2nd year)

Sports Information
Sports Information Director: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Cell phone: 612-363-3923
SID Fax: 612-330-1780
Press Box phone: 612-330-1737
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2005-06 Results (Home events in bold, White Team (junior varsity) events noted with (WT))
Sat., Nov. 19, Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, no team results, 7 champions.
Wed., Nov. 23, vs. Minnesota State University-Moorhead, White Team W 39-9, Varsity W 32-6
Sat., Dec. 3, at Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragon Open, no team results, 6 champions
Tue., Dec. 6, at Southwest Minnesota State University, W 41-6.
Sat., Dec. 10, at St. Cloud State Invitational (Varsity), 2nd/12 (133.5), 2 champions.
Sat., Dec. 10, (WT) at Wartburg (Iowa) Dick Walker Invitational, 8th/10 (44.5).
Wed., Dec. 28, at Sunshine Open Tournament at Lakeland, Fla., no team results, 9 champions.
Thu., Jan. 5, vs. Augustana College (S.D.), W 23-14.
Sat., Jan. 7, at Dickinson State University (N.D.) Blue Hawk Classic, 1st/9 (169), 6 champions
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 14-15, at NWCA Division III National Dual Meet Tournament (Northern Iowa host), Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Sat., Jan. 14 -- vs. Augustana (Ill.), W 38-3
Sat., Jan. 14 -- vs. Cornell (Iowa), W 36-3
Sun., Jan. 15 -- vs. Wisconsin-La Crosse, W 21-15
Sun., Jan. 16 -- vs. Wartburg (Iowa), L 29-6 (championship match)
Wed., Jan. 18, at St. John's University, W 26-9
Sat., Jan. 21, at Northwestern (Iowa) Red Raider Invitational, 2nd/17 (146.5), 4 champions
Fri., Jan. 27, vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha, L 24-10.
Sat., Jan. 28, (WT) at St. John's Univ. North Country Open, no team results.
Wed., Feb. 1, at Wartburg College (Iowa), L 22-13.
Sat., Feb. 4, at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational, 1st/10 (138.5), 3 champions.
Thu., Feb. 9, (WT) vs. Ridgewater College (Minn.), W 29-12.
Fri., Feb. 10, vs. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, W 25-12.
Sat., Feb. 18, at NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional at University of Chicago (Ill.), 1st/14 (162.0), 6 champions, 8 national qualifiers.
Fri.-Sat., March 3-4, at NCAA Division III National Championships at College of New Jersey, Ewing, N.J., 3rd (84.5), 6 All-Americans.

2006-07 Schedule (Home events in bold, White Team (junior varsity) events noted with (WT))
Sat., Oct. 28, Intrasquad/Parents'/Alumni Night, 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 18, Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, 9 a.m.
Wed., Nov. 22, vs. St. John's University, 5 p.m. (WT), 7 p.m. (Varsity)
Sat., Dec. 2, at Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragon Open, 9 a.m.
Tue., Dec. 5, vs. Southwest Minnesota State University, 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 9, (Varsity) at St. Cloud State Univ. Open, 9 a.m.
Sat., Dec. 9, (WT) at Wartburg (Iowa) Dick Walker Invitational, 9 a.m.
Thurs.-Fri., Dec. 28-29, at Sunshine Open (Lakeland, Fla.), 3 p.m./9 a.m.
Wed., Jan. 3, at Augustana College (S.D.), 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 6, at Dickinson State (N.D.) Blue Hawk Classic, 9 a.m.
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 13-14, at NWCA Division III National Dual Meet Tournament at University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Sat., Jan. 20, (Varsity) at Northwestern College (Iowa) Red Raider Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sat., Jan. 20, (WT) at Minnesota West Community College Open, 9 a.m.
Tue., Jan. 23, at Minnesota State University Moorhead, 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 26, at University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 27, (WT) at meet TBA.
Sun., Jan. 28, vs. St. Cloud State University, 2 p.m.
Thu., Feb. 1, vs. Wartburg College (Iowa), 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 3, at Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sat., Feb. 3, at St. John's University North Country Open, 9 a.m.
Fri., Feb. 9, at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 17, at NCAA Div. III Great Lakes Regional at Elmhurst College (Ill.)
Fri.-Sat., March 2-3, at NCAA Div. III National Championships at Five Flags Center, Dubuque, Iowa (Loras College host)

Player & Team Information
Dual-meet record last year: 8-3
National finish: NCAA Division III third place, 6 All-Americans
Letterwinners returning/lost: 19/13
Starters returning/lost: 6/4
Roster By Year: 3 seniors, 8 juniors, 10 sophomores, 17 freshmen. TOTAL: 38.

Returning Key Wrestlers
Jared Evans (149, Sr., Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS), two-time All-American, finished fourth nationally at 149 in 2005-06 and seventh at 149 in 2004-05; finished 38-8 in 2005-06 with seven pins; career record of 102-32; two-time individual state champion and two-time state team championship; NWCA Scholar All-American in 2005 and 2006.
Jeremy Anderson (157, Jr., Thief River Falls, Minn.), national runner-up in 2005-06 at 157 with 44-3 record (six pins); transferred from Minnesota last season; 17-19 record at Minnesota at 149-157; 2003 Wrestling USA magazine honorable-mention All-American; 2002-03 Minnesota Class AA state champion at 145 with 44-0 record, also placed fourth and sixth in state tourneys, four-time state tournament qualifier, high school record of 153-31; Guillotine magazine Academic All-State with 4.0 GPA in 2002 and 2003.
Robbie Gotreau (174, Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS), finished fourth nationally at 174 in 2005-06 for his first All-America honors in first national tournament appearance, finishing 44-9 with five pins and three technical falls; career record of 68-20; placed third at state high school tournament his senior season; two junior freestyle state titles.
Andrew Neumann (HWT, Sr., Somerset, Wis.), qualified for national tournament for first time last season, finishing 25-10 with five pins; 54-30 career record; also four-year starter at tight end for Augsburg football team; six-time state tournament qualifier in high school, winning title once and finishing second once; NWCA Scholar All-American in 2006.
Josh Hansen (165, Sr., Albert Lea, Minn.), qualified for first national tournament last season, finishing 32-10 with 16 pins and four technical falls; 68-36 career record; two-time state high school placewinner with state championship in 2002; NWCA Scholar All-American in 2005 and 2006.
Wally O'Connor (197, Jr., Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh West HS), starter at 197 last season, finishing 25-16 with three pins and one technical fall; 34-30 career record; 2nd at Wisconsin state tournament in 2004, fifth in 2003.

Key Newcomers
Quincy Osborn (141, Jr., Grand Rapids, Minn.), transfer from Division I Minnesota (40-33 record); finished fifth at Big Ten championships at 149 in 2005, qualifying and competing at NCAA Division I championships; two-time state champion and one-time runner-up in high school career.
Willy Holst (149, So., Prescott, Wis.), transfer from Division I Minnesota (10-5 record); Wrestling USA High School All-American in 2002; 2001 and 2002 Wisconsin state champion, 2000 Wisconsin state runner-up; 131-9 high school record; also 2001 Junior National champion.
Jason Adams (141, Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), high school record of 190-11; four-time state placewinner, won state title in 2006, second in 2004, third in 2003 and 2005; ranked No. 15 in Wrestling USA Magazine Best 2006 High School Seniors ranking at 135 pounds and No. 20 in Wrestling USA Magazine Best 2006 High School All-Class ranking at 135.
Johnny Brandtjen (149, Fr., Sunfish Lake, Minn./Simley HS), three-time state tournament qualifier, finishing first in 2006, third in 2005 and fifth in 2004; also an AAU wrestling national champion; ranked No. 19 in Wrestling USA Magazine Best 2006 High School Seniors ranking at 145 pounds and No. 30 in Wrestling USA Magazine Best 2006 High School All-Class ranking at 145.
Freddy Vigil (125, Fr., Bakersfield, Calif./South HS), three-time state tournament qualifier in California; three-time all-league and three-time team MVP; awarded South HS Most Outstanding Athlete of Class of 2006; ranked No. 20 in Wrestling USA Magazine Best 2006 High School Seniors ranking at 103 pounds.
Jaime Rocha (125, Jr., Santa Maria, Calif./Righetti HS), transfer from Cuesta Junior College (Calif.), all-state wrestler in California, finishign eighth his senior season.

Key Losses
Ryan Valek * (165), national runner-up at 165 in 2004-05 and 2005-06; three-time All-American with 133-39 career record, accumulating 39 pins, four technical falls and 20 major decisions; ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first team in 2005-06 and third team in 2004-05.
Brad Tupa * (184), two-time All-American, finishing fourth nationally in both 2004-05 and 2005-06; career record of 74-25, including 21-5 in 2005-06.

Season Outlook and Notes:

MINNEAPOLIS (11/6/06) -- There's a lot of construction going on at Augsburg College these days:

-- On the east side of campus, a major addition to Si Melby Hall, the Kennedy Center, is being built and slated for completion during the 2006-07 school year -- an addition which will add a new wrestling training facility, locker room, classroom and meeting room space, and other amenities.

-- A brand new air-supported dome will cover the Edor Nelson Field surface starting this winter.

-- In the center of campus, the Oren Gateway Building, a facility featuring a Barnes and Noble campus bookstore, retail shops, offices and student housing, is quickly taking shape.

-- This fall, Augsburg welcomed its 11th president, Dr. Paul C. Pribbenow, to campus.

A different kind of construction takes place every season for the Augsburg wrestling program. It's one where progress is measured by the time-honored team slogans, “One-Percent Improvement A Day,”and “The Pursuit of Excellence While Building Men.”

And that yearly construction project results in a tradition of excellence unrivaled in small-college wrestling.

The Auggies have won nine NCAA Division III national championships, while finishing in the top four nationally the last 18 years in a row and in the top 20 nationally every year since 1971.

Augsburg has produced 39 individual national champions and 178 All-Americans in school history.

And under head coach Jeff Swenson, the Auggies have established a reputation as a consistent challenger for the national championship.

This season should be no different. Augsburg's returning depth, from a squad that finished third at the 2006 Division III national championships, combined with a recruiting and transfer class that Swenson describes as one of the program's best in recent years, could mean that the Auggies will be among the contenders for their 10th crown at the national meet, to be held in Dubuque, Iowa, in March.

"We have six out of 10 starters back, so you have to be happy with that," Swenson said. "We're really happy with our recruiting class. We're bringing in a good mix of real good freshmen and some impact transfers, people that could make a difference right away."

Depth at virtually every weight class
There is significant and talented depth at virtually every weight class, Swenson noted, which should prove itself important as the long wrestling season moves along towards the regional and national meets.

"The keys to the success of this coming year's team is that by January, we come together as a team," Swenson said. "It will all be a matter of staying healthy. I feel real confident that whatever weight classes we're at, and what our lineup looks like, we'll be able to peak at the national tournament. We do a nice job of peaking every year there, and we don't plan on being any different this year."

Five wrestlers who competed at last season's national tournament return to start the season for the Auggies.

National runner-up Jeremy Anderson (Jr., Thief River Falls, Minn.) returns at 157 pounds, after compiling a 44-3 record in his first year as an Auggie after transferring from Division I Minnesota. He will be joined at the weight class by returner Jake Grygelko (So., Loretto, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) and newcomers Shane Braun (Fr., St. Charles, Minn.) and John MacCormick (Fr., Minnetonka, Minn.). Braun was a three-time state high school tournament qualifier.

Two-time All-American Jared Evans (Sr., Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS), who finished fourth in 2006 and seventh in 2005, returns to the 149-pound class. He finished 38-8 last year and takes a 102-32 career record into this season. Joining him at 149 is transfer Willy Holst (So., Prescott, Wis.), a transfer from Minnesota who was a multiple state placewinner in his Wisconsin high school days; and Johnny Brandtjen (Fr., Sunfish Lake, Minn./Simley HS), a defending Minnesota state champion and three-time state placewinner.

Robbie Gotreau (Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) earned All-American honors for the first time last season at 174 pounds, finishing fourth with a 44-9 record. He carries his 68-20 career record into his junior campaign, and will be joined by returner Brian Fischer (Jr., Freedom, Wis.) and newcomer Garrett Long (Fr., Cedar, Minn./St. Francis HS), a three-time state tournament qualifier.

Andrew Neumann (Sr., Somerset, Wis.), a national tournament qualifier for the first time last season at heavyweight, returns for his senior season. He had a record of 25-10 last year. Four freshmen who were multiple state tournament qualifiers join the Auggies at the weight class -- Andy Witzel (Fr., Fulda, Minn.), Evan Osterhoudt (Fr., Side Lake, Minn./Hibbing HS), Tyson Barrett (Fr., Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka HS) and Jake Schoenecker (Fr., New Prague, Minn.).

Josh Hansen (Sr., Albert Lea, Minn.), who qualified for the national tournament last season at 141 pounds, will likely move up to 165 this season. He finished 32-10 last season. At 165, Hansen will be joined by returners Brandon Klukow (So., Albert Lea, Minn.) and Dustin Monte (So., Santa Maria, Calif./Righetti HS), as well as newcomers Matt Curtis (Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Dustin Horner (Fr., Deer River, Minn.). Curtis and Horner were both two-time state tournament qualifiers, with both earning runner-up honors in their career.

At 197, starter Wally O'Connor (Jr., Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh West HS) returns after finishing 25-16 last season. Sophomore Bill Boeschenstein (So., Marblehead, Mass./Hyde School) also returns at the weight class, along with newcomer Andy Robinson (Fr., Cedar, Minn./St. Francis HS). Robinson was a two-time state tournament qualifier and placewinner.

At 184, George Lynaugh (Jr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) and Danny Manley (Jr., Kearny, N.J.) return to compete for the open class, and will be joined by newcomers Andy Peterson (Fr., Grand Maris, Minn./Milaca HS) and Kris Krier (Fr., Woodbury, Minn.).

Paul Bjorkstrand (So., Burnsville, Minn.) returns at 125 pounds after finishing 24-12 last season. He is joined by junior college transfer Jaime Rocha (Jr., Santa Maria, Calif./Righetti HS) and newcomer Freddy Vigil (Fr., Bakersfield, Calif./South HS), a three-time California state tournament qualifier. At 133, Zach Hansen (So., Albert Lea, Minn.) and David Elson (So., St. Paul, Minn./Central HS) return to the lineup.

There will be a battle for the 141-pound slot. Dominic Dvorak (So., Belle Plaine, Minn./Holy Family HS-Scott West) is back for his sophomore season, and will be joined by several newcomers. Quincy Osborn (Jr., Grand Rapids, Minn.) transfers to Augsburg from Minnesota. In 2005, he finished fifth at the Big Ten championships at 149 pounds, qualifying for the NCAA Division I national tournament. Aaron Gengler (So., Lincoln, Neb./Pius IX HS), a four-time Nebraska state tournament qualifier, also enters the program, along with freshmen Jason Adams (Fr., Coon Rapids, Minn.), Keith Klein (Fr., Paynesville, Minn.) and Chase Nordby (Fr., Clear Lake, Wis.). Adams was a four-time Minnesota state placewinner and state titlist in 2006, while Klein qualified for the state meet twice, as did Nordby in Wisconsin.

Academic excellence
Augsburg has a tradition of academic excellence in wrestling that is just as strong as the team's accomplishments on the mat. In 2005-06, Augsburg produced the second-best team grade-point average of any Division III team in the country with a 3.42 team GPA, as awarded by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Augsburg has had 95 NWCA Scholar All-Americans in school history (the most of any college in any division in the nation) and in 1998-99, earned the Division III academic national championship with a team grade-point average of 3.48. Augsburg has had at least three Scholar All-Americans every year since 1993, and has had 72 athletes honored since 1997.

In the nine years the NWCA has sponsored a Division III academic team national championship, Augsburg is the only school in the country to finish in the top 10 both academically and on the mat each year.