MINNEAPOLIS -- The Augsburg College wrestling team will feature four state high school champions, including two back-to-back state titlists, and eight state tournament placewinners in its 12-wrestler recruiting and transfer class, head coach
Mark Matzek has announced.
“The coaching staff and I are very excited to work with this group of wrestlers,” Matzek said. “They fit into the Augsburg wrestling program athletically, academically and socially. These young men, as well as our returning wrestlers, will push one another to new levels in the practice room, which will translate into competition.”
Last year's National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III National Coach of the Year, Matzek enters his third season as Augsburg's head coach in 2010-11, coming off of last season's NCAA Division III national championship. Five All-Americans and six returning starters are among the 28 letterwinners expected to return to the Auggie program this season.
Augsburg opens its 2010-11 season on Oct. 30 at 4 p.m. with the annual open practice/fall banquet at Si Melby Hall. The competitive season begins on Nov. 20 with the Auggie-Brute-Adidas Open, also at Si Melby Hall. Augsburg will attempt to defend its NWCA Division III National Duals title on Jan. 8-9 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional will be held on Feb. 26 in Sheboygan, Wis., and the NCAA Division III National Championships will be held on March 11-12 at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse, Wis.
2010-11 Augsburg Wrestling Incoming Class
Niko Bogojevic (FY, Superior, Wis.) -- Won Wisconsin Division I state title at 285 pounds in 2010 with 48-0 record, also qualified for state tournament in 2009, finishing 37-5 ... Superior's all-time wins leader (135) ... 2009 USA Wrestling Junior Greco-Roman national champion, 2007 Fila Cadet Greco-Roman national champion, 2-time USA Wrestling Cadet All-American, 3-time USA Wrestling Junior All-American ... Ranked No. 13 in Wrestling USA Magazine's Nation's Best High School All-Class Wrestlers list at 285, No. 12 in magazine's Best Senior Wrestlers list at 285.
Justin Bowland (FY, Foley, Minn.) -- 3-time Minnesota state high school tournament placewinner (3rd at AA-171 in 2010, 3rd at AA-160 in 2009, 4th at AA-152 in 2008) ... 146-50 high school record, including 42-4 record senior season ... Guillotine Academic All-State 1st team in 2009, 2nd team in 2010.
Jordan Campa (FY, Albertville, Minn./St. Michael-Albertville HS) -- 2009 Minnesota state high school champion (AA-160), 3-time state tournament placewinner (3rd at AAA-160 in 2010, 3rd at AA-152 in 2008), also qualified for state tournament at AA-152 in 2007) ... 153-33 high school record ... Received "Special Mention" in Wrestling USA Magazine's Nation's Best Senior Wrestlers list at 160 ... 2008 USA Wrestling Folkstyle national champion, 2010 Clash All-Tournament Team member.
Tony Castro (FY, Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah-Miami Lakes HS) -- 2009 Florida state high school tournament qualifier (Class 3A, 152), finishing 34-7 on season ... Team captain senior season.
Ryan Cook (FY, Wetumpka, Ala.) -- 3-time Alabama state high school tournament qualifier (6A-140 in 2010, 6A-135 in 2009, 6A-135 in 2008) ... Placed 5th in 2010 state tournament (Class 6A, 140) ... 2-time Montgomery Advertiser Wrestling All-Metro Team (1-time honorable-mention) selection ... Team captain ... 4-time team scholar award-winner.
Pat Fletcher (SO, Shelton, Neb.) -- Transfer from Colby Community College (Neb.) ...Junior college national tournament qualifier at heavyweight in 2010 ... 4-time Nebraska state tournament qualifier (C-285 in 2007, D-285 in 2006, D-275 in 2005, D-275 in 2004), 3-time state placewinner (2nd in C-285 in 2007, 2nd in D-285 in 2006, 5th in D-275 in 2005).
Joshua Jacobson (FY, Kenyon, Minn./Kenyon-Wanamingo HS) -- 2009 Minnesota state high school tournament qualifier (A-171) ... 92-37 high school record.
Chad Johnson (FY, Ferryville, Wis./De Soto HS) -- 2-time Wisconsin state high school champion (Division 3-215 in 2009 and 2010) ... 3-time state tournament qualifier, also finishing 6th in 2008 (Division 3-215) ... Finished 43-0 in 2008-09, 44-1 in 2009-10 ... 136-26 career record ... La Crosse Tribune Wrestler of the Year in 2009.
Will Keeter (FY, Twin Falls, Idaho) -- 2-time Idaho state high school champion (4A-140 in 2010, 5A-135 in 2009), placed 3rd in 2008 (5A-125) ... 82-4 in final two high school seasons (45-2 in 2008-09, 37-2 in 2009-10) ... Received "Special Mention" in Wrestling USA Magazine's Nation's Best Senior Wrestlers list at 140 ...2010 USA Wrestling Western Regional Greco-Roman champion, while placing 3rd in freestyle.
Hieu Kovar (FY, Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park HS) -- 2-time Minnesota state high school tournament qualifier (AAA-135 in 2010, AAA-130 in 2009) ... Finished 21-13 in 2008-09, 30-7 in 2009-10 ... Finished high school career with more than 100 wins.
Perry Olson (SO, Roseville, Minn.) -- Competed at Dakota County Technical College in 2004-05 ... U.S. Army veteran returning to college ... Finished 5th at Minnesota state high school tournament in 2004 (AAA-152).
Tommy Teigen (FY, Ham Lake, Minn./Meadow Creek Christian HS) -- 3-time Minnesota state high school tournament qualifier (AA-160 in 2010, AA-135 in 2009, AA-130 in 2010) ... Placed 4th in AA-160 with 34-8 record in 2009-10 ... 109-54 career record ... Guillotine Academic All-State first team in 2010.
