Nat Duals: UNO Beats Augustana (SD) for Div II Crown

target=”blank”>Nebraska-Omaha defeats Augustana (SD) for Division II National Duals title with forfeit in the final match
1/22/2005
John Fuller/TheMat.com

Cleveland, Ohio – Most heavyweight title bouts end with a final round that leaves lasting memories in the minds of sports fans. But for Nebraska-Omaha at the Cliff Keen/NWCA Division II National Duals on Saturday, that vision may be a little less memorable after two-time defending national champion Les Sigman received a forfeit at heavyweight to give Omaha a 20-18 win over Augustana (SD).

The dual was a back-and-forth affair, as each team won two straight matches twice in the dual. Unfortunately for Augustana, the last win went to Omaha on the forfeit. It is not known why Augustana heavyweight Cris Bietz did not step on the mat.

Augustana received an early upset victory to take the initial lead in the dual, as All-American Aaron Graumann defeated top-ranked Dustin Tovar of Omaha 3-2 at 125 lbs.

Omaha then took a 7-3 lead in the dual, getting a major decision win from All-American Mitch Waite at 133 lbs. and a victory by Eli Dominguez at 141 lbs.

Augustana matched Omaha’s seven consecutive points with seven of their own, also getting back-to-back wins from All-American Ryan King at 149 lbs. and eighth-ranked Austin Scarset at 157 lbs.

Scarset defeated Patrick Allibone 4-3, a wrestler that is ranked second at 149 lbs.

With wins by All-American J.D. Naig at 165 lbs. and a major decision victory by Steve Conlin at 174 lbs., Omaha was able to take a 14-10 lead in the dual meet, the largest lead of the night.

Defending national champion Tom Meester of Augustana provided an 11-2 major decision win over Nate Oviatt at 184 lbs. to tie the dual score, and Tim Boldt defeated Ben Strandberg 18-6 at 197 lbs. to give Augustana an 18-14 lead going into the heavyweight bout.

In other placement duals, Nebraska-Kearney defeated Central Oklahoma 21-15 for third place, Minnesota State-Mankato downed Pittsburgh-Johnstown 21-12 for fifth place and Ashland topped Mercyhurst 25-9 for seventh place.