General Information
School Name: Augsburg College
Location: 2211 Riverside Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55454
Founded: 1869
Enrollment: 3,564 (2005-06 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. William V. Frame
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: 38
Years in top 10 in national tournaments: 28
Last postseason appearance: 2005 (NCAA Division III national champions)
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: 550-113

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Jeff Swenson (24rd year at Augsburg, 27th year of coaching)
Alma Mater/Year: Augsburg 1979
Record at school (yrs): 302-40 (23 years)
Career record: same
Head Coach's office phone: 612-330-1241
Coach's e-mail: swensonj@augsburg.edu
Best time/day to reach coach: Mornings

Assistant Coaches
Sam Barber (associate head coach, Upper Iowa '95, 5th year)
Donny Wichmann (assistant head coach, Augsburg '89, 17th year)
John Pena (Augsburg '98, 8th year)
Nick Slack (Augsburg '02, 4th year)
Mike Uker (Iowa '98, 3rd year)
Mark Matzek * (Augsburg '05, 1st year)
Jamell Tidwell * (Augsburg '05, 1st year)

Sports Information
Sports Information Coordinator: Don Stoner
SID office phone: 612-330-1677
Home phone: 651-697-1393
SID Fax: 612-330-1780
Press Box phone: 612-330-1737
E-Mail: stoner@augsburg.edu
Athletic Website: http://www.augsburg.edu/athletics/

2004-05 Results (Home events in bold, White Team (junior varsity) events noted with (WT))
Sat., Nov. 20, Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, no team results, 9 champions.
Wed., Nov. 24, vs. St. John's University, W 40-2.
Sat., Dec. 4, at Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragon Open, no team results, 4 champions.
Tue., Dec. 7, at Southwest Minnesota State University, W 32-9.
Tue., Dec. 7, (WT) at Ridgewater Community College (Minn.), W 21-16.
Sat., Dec. 11, at St. Cloud State University (Minn.) Invitational, 1st/14 (145.0), 4 champions.
Sat., Dec. 11, (WT) at Dick Walker (Wartburg, Iowa) Invitational, 8th/11 (40.0).
Fri., Jan. 7, at Oregon Classic Duals, Redmond, Ore.
vs. Pacific (Ore.), W 45-3; vs. Cal Poly (Calif.), W 25-15; vs. Oregon State, W 29-6; vs. Southern Oregon, W 32-12.
Sun., Jan. 9, (WT) at Pacific University (Ore.) Open, no team results, 2 champions.
Tue., Jan. 11, at Augustana College (S.D.), L 22-13.
Sat., Jan. 15, at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Invitational, no team results, 4 champions.
S-S, Jan. 21-22, NWCA Division III National Duals at Cleveland State University (Ohio) -- champions.
Jan. 21 vs. Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio), W 47-0.
Jan. 21 vs. John Carroll (Ohio), W 40-3.
Jan. 22 vs. Delaware Valley (Pa.), W 35-3.
Jan. 22 vs. Wartburg (Iowa), W 18-15.
Fri., Jan. 28, at University of Nebraska-Omaha, W 26-10.
Sat., Jan. 29, (WT) at Great Plains Open (Lincoln, Neb.), no team results.
Sun., Jan. 30, at Dana College (Neb.), W 34-3.
Thu., Feb. 3, vs. Wartburg College (Iowa), W 16-15.
Sat., Feb. 5, at North Country Invitational (at St. John's University), no team results, 7 champions.
Fri., Feb. 11, at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, W 31-9.
Sat., Feb. 19, NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional at Augsburg, 1st/15 (256.0), 8 champions.
F-S, March 4-5, at NCAA Division III National Championships at Northfield, Minn., national champions (162.0), 4 champions.

2005-06 Schedule (Home events in bold, White Team (junior varsity) events noted with (WT))
Sat., Oct. 29, Intrasquad Meet/Parents' Night/Alumni Night, 7 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 19, Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, 9 a.m.
Wed., Nov. 23, vs. Minnesota State University-Moorhead, 5 p.m. (WT), 7 p.m. (Varsity)
Sat., Dec. 3, at Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragon Open, 9 a.m.
Tue., Dec. 6, at Southwest Minnesota State University, 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 10, at St. Cloud State Invitational (Varsity), 9 a.m.
Sat., Dec. 10, (WT) at Wartburg (Iowa) Dick Walker Invitational, 9 a.m.
Wed.-Thu., Dec. 28-29, at Sunshine Open Tournament at Lakeland, Fla.
Thu., Jan. 5, vs. Augustana College (S.D.), 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 7, at Dickinson State University (N.D.) Blue Hawk Classic, 9 a.m.
Sat.-Sun., Jan. 14-15, at NWCA Division III National Dual Meet Tournament (Northern Iowa host), Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Wed., Jan. 18, at St. John's University, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 21, at University of Nebraska-Omaha Glen Brand Open, 9 a.m.
Fri., Jan. 27, vs. University of Nebraska-Omaha, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 28, (WT) at St. John's University North Country Open, 9 a.m.
Wed., Feb. 1, at Wartburg College (Iowa), 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 4, at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational, 9 a.m.
Thu., Feb. 9, (WT) vs. Ridgewater College (Minn.) at Prior Lake, Minn., 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 10, vs. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 18, at NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional (University of Chicago host), Chicago, Ill.
Fri.-Sat., March 3-4, at NCAA Division III National Championships (College of New Jersey host), Trenton, N.J.

Player & Team Information
Dual-meet record last year: 14-1
National finish: NCAA Division III national champions, 10 All-Americans
Letterwinners returning/lost: 19/13
Starters returning/lost: 4/6
Roster By Year: 8 seniors, 4 juniors, 10 sophomores, 14 freshmen. TOTAL: 36.

Returning Key Wrestlers
Ryan Valek * (165, Sr., Belle Plaine, Minn.), national runner-up at 165 in 2004-05, finishing 34-6; 7th place nationally in 2003-04 (38-10); career record of 92-35; 2-time state qualifier and 3-time all-conference in high school.
Brad Tupa * (184, Sr., Dundas, Minn./Faribault HS), finished fourth nationally at 184 in 2004-05 with 30-7 record; career record of 59-19; 3-time state placewinner in high school, including state title senior season.
Justin Sorensen (197, Sr., Owatonna, Minn.), finished sixth nationally at 197 in 2004-05, with 28-12 record; career record of 92-36; 27-7 record in 2003-04; 37-17 record in 2002-03 to earn national tournament berth in first Auggie campaign; three-time high school state qualifier, second place in state senior season, top 12 competitor in national competitions.
Jared Evans (149, Jr., Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS), finished seventh nationally at 149 in 2004-05 with 24-7 record; career record of 65-24; qualified for national tournament for first time in career in 2004-05.
Greg Brendemuehl (141, Sr., Medford, Minn.), 14-10 record at 149 in 2004-05, 12-4 record at 133 in 2003-04; 33-11 record in 2002-03 to finish sixth nationally at 125 in first Auggie campaign; moves up to 149 this season; career record of 59-26; three-time high school state qualifier (second, second, third), member of state team titlist (2002).

Key Newcomers
Jeremy Anderson (157, So., Thief River Falls, Minn.), transfer from Minnesota; 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.
George Lynaugh (174, So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS), transfer from Minnesota State-Mankato; two-time state champion in high school (2002-03) with 91-2 record last two prep seasons; also placed sixth in state tournament in 2001 (38-11); placed sixth at high school nationals in 2003.
Brian Barbiaux (125, Fr., Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco HS), three-time Wisconsin state champion (Division 2, 103 in sophomore and junior years, 112 senior season), following 2004-05 season, ranked eighth nationally in Wrestling USA magazine's Best 2005 High School Seniors rankings at 112, and ranked 20th in magazine's Best High School All-Class rankings at 112.
Seth Flodeen (125, Fr., Cannon Falls, Minn.), finished third at 119 in Minnesota Class AA state tournament in 2004-05, finished second at 119 in 2003-04, finished fifth at 103 in 2002-03; following 2004-05 season, ranked 23rd nationally in Wrestling USA magazine's Best 2005 High School Seniors rankings at 119.
Zach Hansen (125/133, Fr., Albert Lea, Minn.), 2-time state placewinner in Minnesota Class AAA, finishing third at 112 in 2004-05 and fourth in 2003-04; 91-28 career record; following 2004-05 season, ranked 27th nationally in Wrestling USA magazine's Best 2005 High School Seniors rankings at 112; Guillotine magazine Academic All-State in 2004-05.
Jake Grygelko (157/165, Fr., Loretto, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS), two-time state placewinner in Minnesota Class AA, finishing sixth at 152 in 2004-05 and second at 145 in 2003-04; grandson of former Augsburg wrestling coach John Grygelko (1972-80).
Brandon Klukow (157, Fr., Albert Lea, Minn.), state runner-up in Class AAA at 152 in 2004-05; three-time all-conference and two-time state qualifier; 39-1 in 2004-05, 140-42 in career; following 2004-05 season, special mention recognition nationally in Wrestling USA magazine's Best 2005 High School Seniors rankings at 112; Guillotine magazine Academic All-State in 2004-05.
Noel Sweeney (149, Fr., Grand Rapids, Minn.), finished third in Minnesota Class AAA at 145 in 2004-05; three-time state placewinner; third at 145 in 2003-04, fifth at 140 in 2002-03.
Jacob Roberts (149/157, Fr., Jordan, Minn.), finished third in Minnesota Class AA at 145 in 2004-05.

Key Losses
Marcus LeVesseur * (157), will not compete in 2005-06; won national title at 157 pounds for third year in a row with 40-0 record, has yet to lose a collegiate match (124-0 in Augsburg career); became regular in 2002-03 after transferring from Minnesota; four-time state champion in high school, with 212-17 overall record and 110 pins; listed as nation's second-best recruit (all weight classes) in InterMat's 2000 Top 200 recruit rankings.
Joe Moon (174), 2-time national champion at 174 (2003-04, 2004-05), 3-time All-American; 16-0 in 2004-05, 39-2 in 2003-04, 38-7 with 5th-place finish at 174 in 2002-03; career record of 121-14.
Mark Matzek * (133), 2-time national champion at 133 (2003-04, 2004-05), 3-time All-American; 34-0 in 2004-05, 34-4 in 2003-04, 40-7 with 4th-place finish at 133 in 2002-03; career record of 129-21.
Matt Shankey (125), 2-time national champion at 125 (2003-04, 2004-05), 2-time All-American; 23-0 in 2004-05, 27-1 in 2003-04; collegiate record of 78-16, 50-1 at Augsburg; transfer from Division I Iowa, compiled 28-15 record with Hawkeyes at 125.
Jamell Tidwell * (141), 2-time national runner-up at 141 (2003-04, 2004-05), 3-time All-American; 34-5 in 2004-05, 44-4 in 2003-04; school-record 50-win season (50-2) to finish third nationally at 141 in 2002-03; career record of 155-17; 4-time national tournament qualifier.
Mark Simmonds (HWT), 2-time All-American at heavyweight, finishing fourth in 2004-05 (32-9) and 2003-04 (36-9); collegiate record of 102-50, including 68-18 at Augsburg; transfer from Division II Southwest Minnesota State, 2001 national tournament qualifier and regional placewinner.

Season Outlook and Notes:

MINNEAPOLIS (11/11/05) -- The 2004-05 season may have been the "perfect season" for the Augsburg College wrestling team. Ten All-Americans for the first time in school history. Four national champions, all with unbeaten individual seasons. A 14-1 dual-meet record, including two wins over perennial rival Wartburg (Iowa) and a win over back-to-back Division II national champion Nebraska-Omaha. And a record ninth NCAA Division III national championship with the highest national tournament point total (162.0) in school history.

So what do the Auggies do for an encore this year?

First, remember the past, but focus on the future. Second, adhere to the philosophy that has made Augsburg one of the most dominant small-college wrestling programs over the last four decades. The time-held tradition of "One-Percent Improvement A Day," which has guided the Auggies to nine Division III national championships, eight national runner-up finishes and top-four national finishes the last 17 years in a row.

"The slogan the captains chose for this year is 'Tradition Doesn't Graduate.' Their goal is to carry on the tradition of our program," said head coach Jeff Swenson, entering his 24th season as the Auggies' mentor. "As coaches, our goal does not change. We always teach our two key philosophies -- 'The Pursuit of Excellence While Building Men' and 'One-Percent Improvement A Day.' It's really what helps us develop our student-athletes to perform their best at the end of the year."

Five All-Americans and 19 letterwinners return to the lineup, and combined with another solid recruiting class, the Auggies should be in the hunt for the Division III national title when the season ends in Trenton, N.J., the first weekend of March.

"The key to this year will be the blending of our experienced wrestlers, and how much they progress, along with those four or five weight classes that are open," Swenson said. "We have a lot of wrestlers that will compete for those starting positions."

Five All-Americans return
Augsburg returns five wrestlers who have also earned All-American honors in their careers, including four All-Americans from last year's national title team.

Team co-captains Ryan Valek * (Sr., Belle Plaine, Minn.) and Brad Tupa * (Sr., Dundas, Minn./Faribault HS) will return with goals of winning individual national titles for the first time, after each earned All-American honors last season.

"Ryan and Brad are great leaders," Swenson said. "I can't say enough about the commitment to athletics that they both put in. They are not only good leaders and people that this program can be proud of, but they're just really good guys. The team really rallies around people like Ryan and Brad, because they have unique personalities that their teammates really like. It's great to have leaders like that."

After finishing seventh nationally in 2003-04, Valek earned national runner-up honors at 165 pounds last season, finishing 34-6. He is 92-35 in his career. Tupa earned All-American honors for the first time last season, finishing 30-7 with fourth-place honors at 184 pounds. Tupa has battled injuries throughout his career, but has not lost the focus to battle for a national championship, Swenson said. Tupa enters his senior season with a 59-19 career record.

"Ryan is a great student and has a great work ethic," Swenson said. "Brad has faced a lot of adversity. He's overcome two shoulder surgeries and injuries galore in order to compete. There was every reason for Brad Tupa * to throw in the towel and say that college wresetling wasn't for him. Instead, he went the other way and said that he was going to make things happen. I'm real pleased that he's back for his senior year in his quest to be a national champion."

Justin Sorensen (Sr., Owatonna, Minn.) returns at 197 pounds. The two-time national tournament qualifier earned All-American honors for the first time last year, finishing sixth nationally with a 28-12 record. He is 92-36 in his career.

"Justin is coming off his best year at Augsburg last year," Swenson said. "He really had a great season last year, and I'm expecting great things from Justin this year."

Jared Evans (Jr., Blue Earth, Minn./Blue Earth Area HS) qualified for the national tournament for the first time last season, finishing seventh nationally at 149 with a 24-7 record (65-24 career) to earn All-American honors.

Greg Brendemuehl (Sr., Medford, Minn.), who finished sixth nationally at 125 pounds to earn All-American honors in his freshman campaign, will attempt to return to the national tournament in his final collegiate campaign. Brendemuehl has battled injuries the past two years while battling for varsity time at 133 and 149 pounds. This season, Brendemuehl aims to fill the 141-pound vacancy, and enters the year with a 59-26 career record.

"If he stays healthy and stays focused, the potential is a national championship for Greg," Swenson said. "He is that fierce of a competitor. He's hungry, and I hope he has the opportunity to succeed."

Varsity openings for deep returners, solid recruiting class
For the first time in several years, there are significant battles looming for several varsity positions -- particularly the first three weight classes, where Augsburg graduated wrestlers that combined for four national championships and six All-American honors the last two seasons. The lower weights were a major focus of the Auggies' recruiting efforts this season, and combined with the depth of the returning classes, there should still be significant talent to help the Auggies contend for team honors.

At 125 pounds, multiple state placewinners who earned spots in Wrestling USA Magazine's Best High School Seniors list in 2005 will compete for the opening. Brian Barbiaux (Fr., Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco HS) won three Wisconsin high school state championships and was ranked eighth nationally in the Wrestling USA top senior list at 112 pounds. Seth Flodeen (Fr., Cannon Falls, Minn.) is a three-time state placewinner who was ranked 23rd in Wrestling USA's top senior list at 119 pounds.

At 133, Ben Moss (Jr., Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central HS) is the likely candidate to step into the opening. He had a 12-3 record last year, with several varsity appearances, before a leg injury ended his season prematurely. He has a 45-11 career record.

Also at 125 and 133, Zach Hansen (Fr., Albert Lea, Minn.), a two-time state placewinner who was ranked 27th in Wrestling USA's top senior list at 112, will compete, along with CJ Domingues (Fr., Santa Maria, Calif./Righetti HS), Adam Assefa (Fr., Minneapolis, Minn./South HS) and Paul Bjorkstrand (Fr., Burnsville, Minn.).

In addition to Brendemuehl at 141, returners Adam Ketcher (Jr., Minnetonka, Minn./Minneapolis Lutheran HS), Josh Hansen (Jr., Albert Lea, Minn.) and Rich Taylor (Sr., St. Paul, Minn./Como Park HS) will battle for the position, along with newcomers Dominic Dvorak (Fr., Belle Plaine, Minn./Holy Family Academy HS) and David Elson (Fr., St. Paul, Minn./Central HS).

The other two significant varsity openings will be at 174 pounds and heavyweight. At 174, Robbie Gotreau (So., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson HS) will seek the varsity opening, after having a strong 24-11 campaign last year. He will be joined by George Lynaugh (So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS), a transfer from Minnesota State-Mankato who was a two-time high school state champion.Veteran Kirk Rall (Sr., West St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) and Brian Fischer (So., Freedom, Wis.) also return at 174.

At heavyweight, Andrew Neumann (Jr., Somerset, Wis.), a Wisconsin state titlist and six-time high school state qualifier, may be the favorite to fill the position. He has a 29-20 collegiate record. Zak Jensen (Sr., Hopkins, Minn.), who transferred from Northern Illinois last season, also returns to compete for the heavyweight spot, along with returners Dylan Soberg (Sr., Elbow Lake, Minn./West Central Area HS), Danny Manley (So., Kearny, N.J.) and Bud Gelhaye (So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Simley HS).

At 157, Jeremy Anderson (So., Thief River Falls, Minn.) transfers to the Augsburg program from Division I Minnesota. A prep state titlist with a perfect 44-0 season in 2003 and a three-time state placewinner, Anderson was a Wrestling USA magazine honorable-mention All-American his senior season. Jake Grygelko (Fr., Loretto, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS), a two-time Minnesota state placewinner, Brandon Klukow (Fr., Albert Lea, Minn.), a state runner-up and two-time state qualifier, and Jacob Roberts (Fr., Jordan, Minn.), a state placewinner last season, will also join the Auggies at 157, along with returner Mitch Collins (So., Richland Center, Wis.).

Tim Matzek (So., Ellsworth, Wis.) will challenge for a varsity spot at 157 or may compete at 149. Newcomer Noel Sweeney (Fr., Grand Rapids, Minn.), a three-time Minnesota state placewinner, will also compete at 149.

Newcomer Dustin Monte (Fr., Santa Maria, Calif./Righetti HS) will compete at 165. Returner Wally O'Connor (So., Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh West HS) and newcomer Bill Boeschenstein (Fr., Marblehead, Mass./Hyde School) will compete at 197 pounds.

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 2004-05, Augsburg produced the sixth-best team grade-point average of any Division III team in the country with a 3.319 team GPA, as awarded by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Augsburg has had 89 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 66 athletes honored since 1997.

In the eight 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.