2008-09 AUGSBURG ATHLETIC AWARDS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2008-09 AUGSBURG ATHLETIC YEAR-IN-REVIEW -- FALL SPORTS
2008-09 AUGSBURG ATHLETIC YEAR-IN-REVIEW -- SPRING SPORTS
MEN'S BASKETBALL (15-12 overall, 12-8 MIAC--t3rd/11)
In its fourth season under head coach Aaron Griess, Augsburg finished 15-12 overall, its best overall record since the 1999-2000 season, while finishing 12-8 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play to earn a trip to the MIAC postseason playoffs for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Augsburg reached the semifinal round of the MIAC playoffs, beating Carleton 65-64 before falling 70-59 at Bethel. The Auggies also claimed their first season sweep of traditional power Gustavus since the 1999-2000 campaign.
Forward Nate Alm (SR, Eden Prairie, Minn.) and point guard Jon Cassens (JR, Prior Lake, Minn.) earned All-MIAC first-team honors, while center Andy Grzesiak-Grimm (FY, Wyoming, Minn./St. Francis HS) earned a spot on the MIAC All-Rookie Team and guard Tony Doran (SO, Richfield, Minn./Trinity-River Ridge HS) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. Alm also earned a spot on the D3hoops.com All-West Region squad as a third-team selection.
An All-MIAC honorable-mention selection last season, Alm was one of only four MIAC players to average at least 10.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per-game in overall play this season, as he stood eighth among MIAC players in overall scoring (team-high 13.4 ppg) and third in rebounding (9.1 rpg). Alm also stood ninth among MIAC players in overall field-goal percentage (.523), fourth in free-throw percentage (.846) and fifth in blocked shots (24, 0.89 per-game). In league games-only, Alm stood sixth in scoring (14.4 ppg) and fourth in rebounding (9.5 rpg), while standing 10th in field-goal percentage (.530), sixth in free-throw percentage (.838) and fourth in blocked shots (19, 0.95 bpg).
In his second season at Augsburg after transferring from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Alm finished his Auggie years with 634 points (12.2 ppg) and 420 rebounds, with his 8.1 rebounds per-game ranking him ninth in school history in the category. His .540 Auggie career field-goal percentage is fifth-best in school history, and his .818 career free-throw percentage is also fifth-best. His .846 free-throw percentage this season was the fifth-best in a single season in school history, while his 247 rebounds and 9.1 rebounds per-game were both sixth-best.
For Cassens, it was his third straight year earning a spot on the All-MIAC squad, as a first-team recipient last year and honorable-mention selectee his first season. He is the only current junior MIAC men's basketball player to have earned All-MIAC first-team or honorable-mention honors each of their first three seasons.
A point guard, Cassens averaged 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per-game this season, standing second on the team in scoring. Among MIAC players, Cassens led the conference in overall assists (119), as one of just two conference players to collect 100-plus assists in overall play. He also stood 14th among MIAC players in overall scoring, fifth in free-throw percentage (.840) and 13th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.78). In conference games-only, Cassens led the league in assists (90), while standing 17th in scoring (11.3 ppg), fifth in free-throw percentage (.869) and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.14).
This season, Cassens became the 16th member of Augsburg's 1,000-point club, and currently stands 14th in career scoring with 1,067 points (13.9 ppg) in 77 career games (all starts). He also has 356 career assists, 99 career rebounds and 90 career steals, and his 120 three-pointers currently rank him seventh in school history in the category.
A center, Grzesiak-Grimm ended up third on the Auggies in scoring (9.3 ppg) and second in rebounding (5.0 rpg), while also contributing a team-high 26 blocked shots and 22 steals. Among MIAC players in overall statistics, Grzesiak-Grimm ranked 26th in scoring13th in rebounding, fourth in field-goal percentage (.577), eighth in free-throw percentage (.761) and third in blocked shots (1.0 bpg). His .577 field-goal percentage ranks eighth in a single season in school history. In MIAC games-only, Grzesiak-Grimm ranked 25th in scoring (9.8 ppg), 12th in rebounding (5.2 rpg), fifth in field-goal percentage (.579), 12th in free-throw percentage (.733) and third in blocked shots (1.0 bpg).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL (5-20 overall, 3-19 MIAC--11th/12)
In its fifth season under head coach Jennifer Britz, Augsburg finished 5-20 overall and 3-19 in MIAC play in 2008-09. Guard Serenae Levine (FY, Eden Prairie, Minn.) and forward/center Christa Suedbeck (SR, Hugo, Minn./White Bear Lake HS) earned All-MIAC honorable mention honors, while Levine earned a spot on the MIAC All-Rookie Team and Ashley Erickson (FY, Bemidji, Minn.) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.
A point guard, Levine was one of the top all-around statistical players in the conference. The team's leader in scoring (10.5 ppg) and assists (4.6 apg) while standing second in rebounding (6.6 rpg) and steals (40), Levine ranked 17th in the MIAC in overall scoring, while standing ninth in rebounding, second in assists and 15th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.08). She averaged 33.32 minutes played per-game, second-most among all MIAC players in overall statistics. In MIAC games-only, Levine ranked 17th in scoring (10.9 ppg), 12th in rebounding (6.4 rpg) and second in assists (4.5 apg). Her 114 assists were the third-most in a single season in school history.
A center, Suedbeck was named to the All-MIAC honorable-mention squad for the second straight season. This season, she averaged 9.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per-game, while contributing 51 blocked shots, the third-most in a single season in school history. Her 207 rebounds were the 13th-most in a single season in school history. She was one of just two MIAC players to average more than 9.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per-game in overall play this season, ranking 27th among MIAC players in overall scoring and third in rebounding. She also ranked third among MIAC players in overall blocked shots. In MIAC games-only, Suedbeck ranked 22nd in scoring (10.0 ppg), third in rebounding (8.8 rpg) and third in blocked shots per-game (2.24).
Suedbeck played two seasons of basketball at Augsburg, after transferring from Minot State (N.D.). In her two seasons (47 games, 46 starts), she averaged 11.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per-game, to go along with a school-record 113 blocked shots, 62 steals and 67 assists. Her 11.0 points per-game average is eighth-best among Augsburg players in school history (minimum two seasons played), while her 9.0 rebounds per-game is third-best. Her 423 career rebounds are 16th-most in school history, and her .439 career field-goal percentage is seventh-best in school history.
MEN'S HOCKEY (9-16-1 overall, 8-7-1 MIAC--5th/9)
In its third season under head coach Chris Brown, Augsburg finished 9-16-1 overall, 8-7-1 in MIAC play. The Auggies closed the season strong, with a 6-1-1 record in their last eight games of the regular season to earn a berth in the five-team MIAC postseason tournament for the second time in the last three years.
Included in the season-closing stretch was a dramatic 7-7 tie with league regular-season champion St. Olaf, in which the Auggies rallied from a 6-2 deficit with five goals in the final 4:43 of regulation. The Auggies dropped a 5-4 decision at Hamline in the MIAC playoff play-in game.
Forward Chris Johnson (JR, Verona, Wis./Madison Memorial HS) received several postseason honors, being named as a second-team West Region selection to the American Hockey Coaches Association/RBK Hockey Division III Men's All-American squad, as a U.S. College Hockey Online All-USCHO Division III West honorable-mention selection, and as an All-MIAC first-team selection. It was his third All-MIAC honor, earning first-team honors this season after receiving all-conference honorable-mention honors his first two seasons. He was also named to the MIAC All-Rookie Team in his first season. He earned MIAC Player of the Week honors twice this season.
A team captain this year, Johnson finished the 2008-09 season as the MIAC's scoring champion in both overall and conference play. In overall play, Johnson led the league in both points (42) and assists (28), while standing fifth in goals (14). In league games-only, Johnson led the league in points (33) and assists (22), while standing second in goals (11). He finished the 2008-09 season with a consecutive-game point streak of 12 straight games, claiming a goal or assist in 21 of Augsburg’s 26 games this season.
Among NCAA Division III players nationally, Johnson finished 13th in points per-game (1.62) and 10th in assists per-game (1.08). In 77 career games at Augsburg, Johnson has 30 goals and 57 assists for 87 points.
Jim Jensen (SO, Plymouth, Minn./Osseo HS) joined Johnson in receiving All-MIAC first-team honors, while teammates Nick Guran (FY, McHenry, Ill./McHenry East HS), Andrew Kent (SR, Lakeville, Minn.) and Joel Sauer (SO, Madison, Wis./Memorial HS) earned All-MIAC honorable-mention honors. In addition, Guran earned a spot on the MIAC All-Rookie Team and Bryan Frischmann (SO, Rochester, Minn./Century HS) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. Guran and Trevor Doden (FY, Red Wing, Minn.) were also named as West Region Rookie Team honorees by U.S. College Hockey Online.
Jensen finished this season fourth on the team in total scoring, with 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points, ranking 16th among MIAC players in overall points, 12th in goals and 22nd in assists. In league games-only, Jensen's 20 points ranked ninth among league players, while his 10 goals ranked fifth and his 10 assists ranked 14th. In 50 career games, Jensen has 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points.
Guran was the top scorer among first-year players in the MIAC this season, leading the league's rookies in both goals (16) and points (31), while standing fifth in assists (15). In league play, he also led the MIAC in first-year goals (11) and points (21), while standing tied for second in assists (10). Among MIAC players in overall stats, he was eighth in points and third in goals, while standing fifth in points in league games-only and second in goals.
Kent saw action in all but 40 minutes of play for the Auggies this season, with a 3.96 goals-against-average and .882 save percentage. He had 12 games with 30-plus saves this season, including seven games with 35-plus saves. His 1,516:52 time in goal was tops among MIAC goalies in overall play, as was his 756 total saves. His time in goal was eighth-most among NCAA Division III players this season. In his Auggie career, Kent finished with a 3.68 GAA and .884 save percentage, with a 24-39-6 career record.
Sauer finished second this season in scoring for the Auggies, with 15 goals and 17 assists for 32 points. He ranked seventh among MIAC players in overall points, while ranking fourth in goals and ninth in assists. In league games-only, Sauer ranked fifth among MIAC players in total points (21), while ranking ninth in goals (9) and seventh in assists (12). In 47 career games at Augsburg, Sauer has 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 career points.
Doden finished the season fifth on the team in total scoring, with 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points, including two power-play goals. In MIAC overall statistics, Doden ranked 21st in total scoring, fifth among league newcomers, while ranking 23rd in goals and 24th in assists. In league games-only, Doden ranked 13th in total points (18), fifth in goals (10) and 28th in assists (8), while tying for third among league newcomers in scoring.
WOMEN'S HOCKEY (5-19-1 overall, 2-15-1 MIAC--10th/10)
In its 14th season under head coach Jill Pohtilla, Augsburg finished 5-19-1 overall, 2-15-1 in MIAC play. The Auggies closed the season strong, with decisions of two goals or less in each of its final six games, a stretch in which it went 2-3-1 with two overtime decisions.
Forward Tiffany Magnuson (SR, Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy HS) was named the 2008-09 recipient of the MIAC's Sheila Brown Award, in addition to earning All-MIAC first-team honors for the fourth straight season. Magnuson was also selected as an alternate for the 32-player field to compete at the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge, to be held on April 10 at the Men's Division I Frozen Four in Washington, D.C. In January, she was selected as one of 68 finalists for selection to the event.
Magnuson, who led the team in every scoring category this season -- nine goals, 10 assists for 19 points -- was named to the All-MIAC first team for the fourth straight season, becoming just the second Auggie in the 14-year history of the women's hockey program to earn All-MIAC first-team honors each of her four seasons. Lauren Chezick (2002-05) was the first Auggie to earn All-MIAC first-team honors all four of her seasons. Magnuson was one of only three Class of 2009 seniors to earn All-MIAC first-team honors each of their four seasons.
The MIAC's Shelia Brown Award is named for Brown, the longtime athletic director at the College of St. Catherine who died from cancer in 2005. The award is given to a senior women's hockey player who has made a long-term contribution to her team's success and who has consistently competed with good sportsmanship. Recipients are chosen based on four criteria -- team leadership, sportsmanship and volunteer work, academic excellence and hockey skills/production.
The lone senior on the squad, Magnuson finished her career with 99 points (65 goals, 34 assists) in 98 career games, finishing in second place in school history in career goals, third in career points and sixth in career assists.
Joining Magnuson in earning All-MIAC recognition from Augsburg was Brya Erickson (SO, New Brighton, Minn./Irondale HS), who was named All-MIAC honorable-mention, and Jess Olson (JR, Hamel, Minn./Wayzata HS), who was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.
Erickson, a defender, had three goals and five goals for eight assists in her first Augsburg campaign, tops among Augsburg defenders and 11th among MIAC defenders in overall scoring (all games). Olson, a defender, contributed five assists this season. In 73 career games, Olson has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 career points.
WRESTLING (11-2-0 in dual meets, 2nd at NCAA Division III National Championships, NWCA Division III National Duals Champion, 1st at NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional)
Claiming a top-four finish in the team standings for the 21st straight year -- a record currently unmatched by any other NCAA wrestling program in any division -- the Augsburg wrestling team finished as national runners-up at the NCAA Division III National Championships, held March 6-7 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Augsburg claimed seven All-Americans, marking the 21st straight season that Augsburg has had five or more All-Americans and 23rd time it has accomplished the feat in its 27 seasons of NCAA Division III competition.
As a team, Augsburg finished second for the ninth time in school history (eight in NCAA, one in NAIA) with 105.0 points, second to repeat national champion Wartburg (Iowa), which had 117.5 points. Wisconsin-La Crosse was third with 87.0 points and Coe (Iowa) was in fourth with 65.5 points.
Among the seven All-Americans was 197-pound national champion Jared Massey (JR, Circle Pines, Minn./Centennial HS), who claimed the 44th individual national title in Augsburg wrestling history, including a record 40 in NCAA Division III action (1983-present).
Massey was in his first season of collegiate wrestling after a four-year absence from the sport. A two-time Minnesota state high school champion (2002-03) at Centennial High School, he competed at Division I Wisconsin in the 2003-04 season. Massey finished 30-1 on the season with 16 pins and three major decisions.
Jason Adams (JR, Coon Rapids, Minn.) finished third at 157 pounds for his second consecutive All-American finish, while Seth Flodeen (SR, Cannon Falls, Minn.) finished his collegiate career with his third All-American finish, placing fourth at 125 pounds. Flodeen also earned the "Most Falls in Least Time" award for the tournament, with four pins in 16:00.
Augsburg had three fifth-place finishers -- 133-pounder Travis Lang (SR, Bismarck, N.D.), 149-pounder Willy Holst (SR, Prescott, Wis.) and heavyweight Andy Witzel (JR, Fulda, Minn.). Zach Molitor (SO, Cambridge, Minn./Cambridge-Isanti HS) finished sixth for the Auggies at 174 pounds. Tony Valek (FY, Belle Plaine, Minn./Scott West HS) competed at his first national tournament at 141, as did Orlando Ponce (SO, Hialeah, Fla./Hialeah-Miami Lakes HS) lat 165.
The Auggies completed their first season under new head coach Mark Matzek, a three-time All-American and two-time national champion during his Augsburg wrestling days. Augsburg finished 11-2 in dual meets -- including two wins over eventual national champion Wartburg. Augsburg won the championship at the NWCA Division III National Duals, and won the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional for the seventh straight year.
Academically, Augsburg finished 13th among Division III?programs in the NWCA’s academic national rankings, with a 3.346 team grade-point average. Two Auggies earned NWCA?Scholar All-American honors -- Brandon Klukow (SR, Albert Lea, Minn.), a physics major; and Beau Hansen (SO, Albert Lea, Minn., a mass communications and film major. Klukow earned Scholar All-American honors for the third straight season, while Hansen was honored for the first time.
Over the past 26 seasons, Augsburg has produced 105 NWCA Scholar All-Americans, the most of any college in any division in the nation. Augsburg has had 82 athletes earn Scholar All-American honors since 1997. Augsburg has finished among the top 25 wrestling teams in the Scholar All-American team program every season since the program was started in 1998, and has had a team GPA of 3.2 or better every season during the 12 years of the program.
WOMEN'S SWIMMING (0-3 in dual meets, 11th/11 at MIAC championships)
Augsburg College finished in 11th place with 62 points at the MIAC Swimming and Diving Championships held at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
On day one of the championships, the Augsburg 200-yard freestyle relay team cut four seconds off its seed time to finish in 11th place, while the 400-yard medley relay team cut nine seconds off its seed time to finish with a time of 4:53.43.
On day two, the Augsburg 200-yard medley relay team of Julie Zollner, Steph Storlie, Katie Neff and Laura Moe finished with a time of 2:11.17, while the 800-yard freestyle relay finished in 11th place with a time of 9:42.29.
On the final day of the meet, the Auggies wrapped up the 2009 championships with the 400-yard freestyle relay team of Steph Storlie, Amy Storlie, Laura Moe, and Julie Zollner, who finished in 10th place cutting 12 seconds off its seed time to finish with a time of 4:22.50.
