Augustana set to begin the 2015-16 season at the Daktronics Open

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- No. 9 Augustana wrestling will officially begin its season when 17 Vikings travel to Brookings, S.D. this Sunday to compete in the Daktronics open at the Frost Arena. The Vikings have participated in the event every year since 2008.

Last year, Augustana placed five wrestlers in four different weight classes, with Parker Swanson winning the 165-pound division. The Vikings return three wrestlers who placed in last year’s open, TJ North (125), Aero Amo (184) and Michael Lowman (285) all took home fourth place in their weight classes.

Jason Reitmeier returns to the helm for his 13th season as Augustana’s head coach. Reitmeier last year guided the Vikings to an 18-5 dual record, including a 7-1 conference dual record. The only loss was to eventual the national champions, St. Cloud State.

“The main goal this year is to bring more guys to nationals so that we have a shot of bringing home some hardware.” head coach Jason Reitmeier said. “We have the talent and I believe the guys can step up at the right time.”

As Augustana begins its new season let’s take a look at the team on a pound for pound basis.

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125 Pounds
Leading the pack at 125 will be TJ North, who is coming off a 26-4 overall record including his second consecutive runner-up finish at the NCAA Championship.
“TJ is the model of consistency,” Reitmeier said. “When he goes out and does what he’s supposed to do it gets the team fired up and gets us rolling.”
Wrestling along with North in the 125-pound division will be Javier Vieyra who posted a 10-8 record. Including a 2-0 record against NSIC opponents. The last two will be new incoming freshmen Logan Donais and Duncan Stoebner.

133 Pounds
The person to watch for at 133 will be Morgan Enbrecht who last year finished with a 7-2 record against NSIC competition. Following Engbrecht will be David Potratz, Adrian Lozano, and freshmen Joe Fischenich.

141 Pounds
“We’re going to have some people challenging in this weight class.” Reitmeier said.
Starting with returning starter Jeremiah Peterson , who went 13-5 last year including 6-1 against NSIC competition. Competing also in the weight class will be Brandon Charbonneau, Austin Jordan, Deven Donais and Blake Jans round out the 141 weight class.

149 Pounds
Jacob Anderson returns to anchor the 149 pounds division, Anderson last year posted a 28-12 record and 10-3 against NSIC opponents. Wrestling along with Anderson at 149 is Brandon Chestnut who went 8-4 last season, redshirt freshman Colin Ayers and newcomer Tyler Nation and Bailey Neises.

157 Pounds
Shawn Hatlestad returns to guide the Vikings in the 157-pound weight class. Hatlestad went 28-10 in 2014-15 and went 2-2 at the NCAA Super Region Three Tournament. The only competition Hatlestad has in this weight class is freshmen Matthew Rustad and Shane Siewert.

165 Pounds
“This is going to be one of our biggest question marks coming into this season is at 165 pounds.”
Reitmeier said. Heading up at 165 will be Bruce Lemon Jr.who was redshirted the past two season. Mitch Rechtzigel and Ben Goodwin look to get into . Freshmen Zach Determan and Gable Verschoor round out the weight class.

174 Pounds
Tim Weber heads the 174 division. Weber moved up to 174 last year and went 2-2 at the NCAA Super Region III Championship. After Weber will be a couple of inexperienced wrestlers in Mason Bender and Lukas Polonicic.

184 Pounds
Aero Amo will anchor the 184-pound division. Amo posted a 24-11 record last year, which earned him an All-NSIC Second Team honor as a freshman. Logan Henning and Clayton Washburn.

197 Pounds
Another big question mark coming into the season is who will replace Jayd Docken at 197 pounds. The two people up to the task will be Lane Lettau, who finished with a 1-1 record against NSIC competition. The other will be Drake Fanslau who is returning from injury last season.

285 Pounds
Michael Lowman returns to guide the heavyweights for the Vikings. Lowman last season posted a 30-13 at 285 pounds making it to the NCAA Championship. Newcomer Joe Schiller is the backup to Lowman at 285.

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