No. 3 Augustana College (S.D.) won six out of the 10 matches on the night, including two major decisions to earn a 20-15 victory over Southwest Minnesota State University in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference wrestling on Friday night in Sioux Falls.
SMSU's Jacob Begin won his ninth consecutive match, earning an 11-4 decision over Bradyn Neises. The Mustangs fall to 7-5 overall on the season, 1-3 in the NSIC while Augustana improves to 10-2, 2-1 NSIC.
The Vikings grabbed a 6-0 lead with Cody Lensing (125 pounds) and Jason Jeremiason (133 pounds) picked up decisions over Travis Borchert and Justin Reinsma. Lensing is ranked sixth in the nation and Jeremiason is ranked second in the nation at 133 pounds.
SMSU tied the match at six with Ethan Hildebrandt winning by forfeit at 141 pounds. The Vikings won the next two matches before Jacob Begin won his ninth straight match, earning an 11-4 decision over Bradyn Neises at 165 pounds to bring the Mustangs within four at 13-9.
Augustana's Carl Serck won a 17-6 major decision at 174 pounds over Trent Molacek and Jayd Docken earned an 8-6 decision over SMSU's Micah Larson at 184 pounds to give the Vikings a 20-9 lead.
Martin Hagen (197 pounds) followed that with a 3-2 decision over Brian Schultz at 197 pounds to make the score 20-12 in favor of Augustana. Cole Wilson then earned a 3-2 decision over Taylor Harris in the heavyweight match and the Mustangs came up just short falling 20-15 to the third-ranked Vikings.
Southwest Minnesota State returns home tomorrow afternoon to host the University of Mary beginning at 2 p.m. at the PE Gym in Marshall.
