SDSU falls to DIII power

Adam Zobel

Adam Zobel

The SDSU wrestling squad fell 32-10 in non-conference action to Augsburg College last Tuesday in Minneapolis.

The Jacks started the match with a 14-4 major decision by Tim Boldt at 197 over Justin Sorenson before Augsburg rolled off four straight wins, including two forfeits, a pin, and a major decision to build a commanding 22-4 lead.

Jared Barnes at 149 grabbed a 5-3 overtime win over Ryan Stroud to stop the streak, only to see the host team take the next three matches.

The final match of the evening pitted two of the region’s best wrestlers at 184 as SDSU’s Tyler Jones, the top-ranked wrestler in Division II, defeated Ricky Crone, the second-ranked wrestler in Division III, by a score of 4-2.

Jones, a senior from Mitchell, is now 21-1 on the season with his victory. The three-time All-American was selected as the NCC’s Wrestler of the Week for the second time this season after his four-pin performance at the Buena Vista Duals on Feb. 1.

The Jackrabbit wrestlers are now 10-7 in dual action this season and are currently the eight-ranked team in Division II.

The wrestling team is in action at home Tuesday for the first time in nearly two months tonight (Tuesday) when they play host to Southwest State in the first of three home duals this week. The non-conference match-up against the Mustangs takes place at 7 p.m. in Frost Arena. SDSU Coach Jason Liles will have his 100th dual victory as a SDSU coach with the Jacks’ next win.

SDSU takes on NCC rivals St. Cloud State and Minn. State, Mankato this weekend in wrestling duals action. The Jacks face the Huskies on Friday at Mickelson Middle School (1801 12th Street South) starting at 7 p.m.

The wrestlers conclude their weekend hosting the 11th ranked Mavericks on Saturday at the Brookings High School; the match begins at 7 p.m.