In a matchup of top 20 foes, the Augustana wrestlers took 6 of 10 matches from Central Missouri to defeat the Mules 23-15 Saturday in Warrensburg, Mo.
The Vikings improve their dual record to 4-2 on the season, with both losses coming to NCAA Division I opponents.
The match began with the 165 pound weight class. After escaping from an Andrew Hicklin takedown, Gavin Nelson scored a takedown of his own, during which time Hicklin was injured and could not return, as Nelson scored a win via medical forfeit.
After a 6-3 decision win by Marcus Edgington over Connor Fitzgerald at 174 to put Augie up 9-0, Nick Henning posted a major decision win at 184 over Matt Bailes, 12-4, posting four takedowns and a 3-point near fall.
Ty Copsey was in top form at 197, scoring a shutout major decision, 13-0, over Kaylor Walker. Copsey tallied riding time of 5:06 out of a possible 7 minutes. After four matches, the Vikings led 17-0.
Central Missouri would post a comeback of its own. The Mules' Cody Beck pinned Lance Peters in 1:08 at heavyweight, and with decision wins by Byron Clark over Al Meger (125 lbs, 12-6) and Grant Baker over Jason Jeremiason (133 lbs, 10-3), the Mules drew with five points at 17-12.
141 pounds proved to be the closest match of the evening. Jay Sherer took down Cody Bloodgood twice in the opening period and led 4-2 after one. Bloodgood escaped from the down position in the second period, and drew even when he was awarded a point for Sherer stalling. The match regulation ended 4-4, however, Sherer scored one point for accumulating over one minute in riding time (1:20), and won the match, 5-4.
At 149 pounds, Mike Long scored three takedowns and won the decision over William Forrest, 7-2, to secure the dual win for Augie. Denis Ryzhov won a decision over Carl Serck, 7-5, but Augustana posted the win, 23-15.
Six of the next seven Viking duals will be at home, beginning with the next Viking action, a home dual versus MSU-Moorhead on Thursday at the Elmen Center. The first match will begin at 7 p.m.
Augustana 23, Central Missouri 15
125 - Byron Clark (UCM) dec. Al Meger (AC), 12-6
133 - Grant Baker (UCM) dec. Jason Jeremiason (AC), 10-3
141 - Jay Sherer (AC) dec. Cory Bloodgood (UCM), 5-4
149 - Mike Long (AC) dec. William Forrest (UCM), 7-2
157 - Denis Ryzhov (UCM) dec. Carl Serck (AC), 7-5
165 - Gavin Nelson (AC) inj. def. Andrew Hicklin (UCM)
174 - Marcus Edgington (AC) dec. Connor Fitzgerald (UCM), 6-3
184 - Nick Henning (AC) major dec. Matt Bailes (UCM), 12-4
197 - Ty Copsey (AC) major dec. Kaylor Walker (UCM), 13-0
HWT - Cody Beck (UCM) pinned Lance Peters (AC), 1:08
