College Wrestling -- Augsburg 26, South Dakota State 12

Match Summary:
BROOKINGS, S.D. (2/13/00) -- In a matchup of two of the top small-college wrestling teams in the nation Sunday, Augsburg College claimed a 26-12 win over South Dakota State University in a nonconference match at SDSU's Frost Arena.

The Auggies entered the match as the No. 1-rated team in the latest NCAA Division III national rankings, while South Dakota State was rated second in the latest Division II national rankings. Augsburg improves to 12-1 in dual meets, while SDSU falls to 11-4. Augsburg won six of the 10 matches in the dual.

In the lone matchup of top-ranked wrestlers in their respective NCAA divisions, South Dakota State's Scott Braun defeated Augsburg's John Marchette (Jr., Canton, Ohio/North Canton Hoover HS) 10-4 at 133 pounds.

The other three Auggies rated No. 1 in the nation all easily won their matches -- Josh Cagle (Sr., Faribault, Minn.) improved to 35-0 with a major-decision win at 149; Nik Lewandowski (Jr., Hastings, Minn.) claimed a 9-3 win at 184; and Darin Bertram (So., Herman, Minn./Herman-Norcross HS) improved to 25-1 with a forfeit win at 125.

Nick Slack (So., Belle Plaine, Minn.) remained unbeaten at 27-0 with a decision over SDSU's Tyler Jones, rated fourth in Division II at 174. Slack is currently rated fifth in Division III.

Other wins for the Auggies came from Josh Clausen (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) at 197 and Justin Baker (Sr., Kerkhoven, Minn./Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg HS) at 157.

Paul Konechne, rated No. 1 in Division II at 141, scored a 9-6 win over Augsburg's Brian Jones (Sr., Alexandria, Minn.), the No. 4-rated wrestler in Division III at 141.

Augsburg competes at the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference individual championships on Feb. 26 at Concordia-Moorhead, while South Dakota State hosts Augustana (S.D.) on Thursday (2/17) at 7:30 p.m.

AUGSBURG 26, SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 12
Action begins at 184 pounds

184 -- Nik Lewandowski (AUG, 26-7) dec. Lance Thury (9-5) 9-3 (Augsburg 3-0).
197 -- Josh Clausen (AUG, 26-1) pinned Dan Irwin (3-12) 6:57 (Augsburg 9-0).
HWT -- Jon Madsen (SDSU, 15-4) dec. Ben Bauer (33-2) 3-2 (Augsburg 9-3).
125 -- Darin Bertram (AUG, 25-1) wins by forfeit (Augsburg 15-3).
133 -- Scott Braun (SDSU, 22-6) dec. John Marchette (26-2) 10-4 (Augsburg 15-6).
141 -- Paul Konechne (SDSU, 32-5) dec. Brian Jones (28-5) 9-6 (Augsburg 15-9).
149 -- Josh Cagle (AUG, 35-0) maj. dec. Aaron Veskrna (8-4) 11-0 (Augsburg 19-9).
157 -- Justin Baker (AUG, 21-7) maj. dec. Kayle Dangerud (2-8) 21-7 (Augsburg 23-9).
165 -- Tyler Bryant (SDSU, 12-2) dec. Tony Abbott (21-10) 7-2 (Augsburg 23-12).
174 -- Nick Slack (AUG, 27-0) dec. Tyler Jones (17-4) 4-1 (Augsburg 26-12).