Time: 7:00 p.m. CST
Location: Waverly, Iowa
Why bother writing a preview about two teams that have already locked horns, with one team coming out with a convincing victory? What's the use of highlighting a meet, when the last time they met one team had three major victories and one technical fall en route to a 29-6 trouncing?
Why bother? Because it's Augsburg College, winners of nine DIII national championships since 1991. Because it's Wartburg College, winners of four of the last 10 championships. Because these two teams have been going at hit hard the last decade, and do NOT like each other.
And hey, if nothing else, it's Minnesota's Augsburg versus Iowa's Wartburg, which gets people in that region pumped.
Judging by the results of the National Duals a couple of weeks back, it looks once again that these two are the teams to beat at DIII National Championships this year. Earlier in the season, this writer felt that UW-La Crosse might possibly be the class of DIII wrestling in 2006. While this might still turn out to be true, it looks as though Wartburg has established supremacy in the DIII ranks. In this dual on February 1, it will be up to Augsburg to try and keep the majors and technical falls down to decisions, and score a couple of upsets along the way. Can it be done, especially in Wartburg's own gym? Let's look at the probable match-ups:
125: No. 1 Tyler Hubbard (Wartburg) vs. Seth Flodeen (Augsburg)
The newly top-ranked Hubbard moved down from 133, where he ended up third in the nation last season. The move has obviously proved fruitful, as he is undefeated and the favorite to top the podium in March. During the National Duals, Hubbard nearly garnered bonus points against the talented but green Flodeen, as he come out on top 12-5. For Hubbard, he will look to extend that margin of victory; for Flodeen, while an upset may be a tall order, a decision needs to be considered a small victory for himself and the Auggies. Hubbard 10, Flodeen 4.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Hubbard decision over Flodeen (Wartburg +3)
133: No. 8 Zack McKray (Wartburg) vs. Jafari Vanier (Augsburg)
It seems that every year Augsburg finds one of those "whatever-happened-to?" guys who end up making an impact for the team. This year they've found another in Jafari Vanier. Vanier was a multiple-time state placer and 2001 state champion in Minnesota. He is very tough, has had good showings thus far, and could very well make some noise at this weight in March.
For the Knights, McKray must be a pleasant development. Only a freshman, he currently sits in the rankings at No. 8, where he has been a majority of the season. This will be an intriguing battle, between two AA contenders. Although McKray defeated Ben Moss in the Duals, 8-1, look for Vanier to take this one in a mild upset. Vanier 6, McKray 4.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Vanier decision over McKray (Augsburg +3)
141: No. 1 Dustin Hinschberger (Wartburg) vs. Josh Hansen (Augsburg)
Dustin Hinschberger (photo by Johnnie Johnson)RevWrestling.com Prediction: Hinschberger major decision over Hansen (Wartburg +4)
149: No. 2 Jacob Naig vs. No. 3 Jared Evans (Augsburg)
Both of these wrestlers are returning AAs, with Naig placing sixth and Evans seventh in 2005. The two wrestled to a 3-0 match at the Duals, with Naig coming out on top. The veteran Evans, however, will look to be more aggressive this match, he will have to be in Wartburg's house, and look to him to avenge his earlier loss. This could be a thrilling match, with two grinding grapplers. Evans 4, Naig 3, OT.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Evans decision over Naig (Augsburg +3)
157: Justin Hanson (Wartburg) vs. No. 5 Jeremy Anderson (Augsburg)
Anderson has done a most admirable job in the wake of Marcus Levesseur's absence. This effort has been rewarded with a No. 5 ranking. Wartburg will be looking to keep this match to a decision. The Auggies need bonus points from Anderson if they're going to pull off an upset. Hanson wrestled him tough at the Duals, falling 7-4. This time around Anderson racks up more points. Anderson 12, Hanson 4.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Anderson major decision over Hanson (Augsburg +4)
165: Dustin Bliven (Wartburg) vs. No. 1 Ryan Valek (Augsburg)
This is another "must-have-bonus-points" match for the Auggies. While the top-ranked Valek is surely capable of getting bonus points, look for Bliven to try and weather it by slowing the tempo. The Knights senior is certainly no slouch, and Valek should be wary of trying to many risky moves while looking for extra points. The returning national finalist finds a way to make a statement in Wartburg's during his senior campaign. Valek 10, Bliven 2.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Valek major decision over Bliven (Augsburg +4)
174: No. 2 Scott Kaufmann (Wartburg) vs. No. 5 Robbie Gotreau (Augsburg)
How long has the senior Kaufmann been with the Knights? It seems as though he's been grappling in Waverly for ages. The veteran All-American should finish highly again in 2006, likely outdoing his fifth-place showing of last season (at 184). He's a solid candidate for any National Champion pools. He humbled the fifth-ranked Gotreau at the Duals, 17-5, and will look to at least duplicate that effort. But Gotreau isn't highly ranked for nothing. Kaufmann 9, Gotreau 5.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Kaufmann decision over Gotreau (Wartburg +3)
184: No. 3 Akeem Carter (Wartburg) vs. No. 4 Brad Tupa (Augsburg)
Brad Tupa (photo by Charles Walbridge and Augsburg Sports Information) RevWrestling.com Prediction: Tupa decision over Carter (Augsburg +3)
197: No. 1 TJ Miller (Wartburg) vs. No. 8 Wally O'Connor (Augsburg)
How good do you need to be to force a two-time national champion (Carter) down a weight? TJ Miller good. He has skyrocketed to the top of the DIII rankings with almost embarrassing ruthlessness. He pummeled the talented but inconsistent O'Connor 13-0 at the National Duals. Can O'Connor avoid this freight train? Not likely. Miller 14, O'Connor 4.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Miller major decision over O'Connor (Wartburg +4)
Hwt: No. 1 Blake Gillis vs. Dylan Soberg/Andrew Neumann (Augsburg)
Ho, hum, Gillis is just another (of the FOUR) top-ranked wrestlers for the Knights. Oh yeah, and he's a two-time DIII finalist, too. And, ahem, he seems to be getting better, having defeated his archrival, UW-Lacrosse's Ryan Allen, twice already this season. Augsburg will try to counter with either Andrew Neumann (whom Gillis beat by technical fall at the National Duals), or Dylan Soberg, who's coming off having to wrestle DII No. 1 UNO's Les Sigman (who pinned him in the first period). Tough luck. Gillis 15, Soberg 3.
RevWrestling.com Prediction: Gillis major decision over Soberg (Wartburg +4)
Final Dual Predicted Score: Wartburg 18, Augsburg 17
This will be a much tighter match than the 29-6 shellacking Wartburg put on Augsburg at the National Duals. Wartburg is just too strong, however, and will win it with dominant performances in the upper weights.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now