Fourth-Ranked Auggies Outmuscle 17th-Ranked Titans

Augsburg College (Minn.) captured the final six bouts to overcome an early deficit during its 32-13 wrestling victory over UW-Oshkosh on Friday (Feb.10) in Kolf Sports Center.

Augsburg College (9-3) entered the match ranked fourth in the NCAA Division III by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, UW-Oshkosh (9-4) 17th.

Three of the Auggies’ wins came from wrestlers nationally ranked atop their weight class. Orlando Ponce remained undefeated (16-0) this season by stopping second-ranked Nazar Kulchytskyy (So. • Sosnivka, Ukraine) with a 9-4 decision at 157 pounds.

At 285 pounds, Chad Johnson improved to 27-1 with a narrow 3-2 triumph over Jason LaPlante (Sr. • New Berlin). Tony Valek, who earned second place at the NCAA Division III Championship the last two years, closed the match with a pin in 2:02 against Dylan Riley (So. • Belleville).

The Titans obtained a 13-3 lead after four matches thanks to victories by Aaron Konitzer (Sr. • Abrams), Sam Engelland (Sr. • Neenah) and Dan Schiferl (So. • Stoughton). Engelland got a pin after 4:38 against Matt Hechsel at 184 pounds, while Konitzer defeated Tommy Teigen with a 9-0 tally at 165. In the 174-pound class, Schiferl snuck by Josh Kohler with a 3-2 decision.

Augsburg College's Brad Baus posted his 17th pin of the year when he took down Ryan Heath (Jr. • Merrill) in 59 seconds at 197 pounds. At 133 pounds, the Auggies' Boyd Suparat got a pin in 3:25 against Carl DeLuca (Sr. • Wisconsin Rapids). Augsburg College's other big score came from Will Keeter’s 16-0 win over Alex Mueller (Sr. • Jackson) at 141 pounds.

UW-Oshkosh's Zachary Mueller (Sr. • Jackson), ranked seventh in the 125-pound division, was edged by Mike Fuenffinger, 4-3. Fuenffinger will be competing at the U.S. Olympic Trials this April.

UW-Oshkosh competes at the WIAC Championship on Feb. 26 in Whitewater.