Dominant performances lead Vikings to defeat of Dragons
MOORHEAD, Minn. (Augustana) – Augustana wrestling secured four technical falls, a pin and a decision in the final regular season dual of 2024-25, defeating MSU Moorhead 29-14 on Thursday night. The win moves the Vikings to 10-8 overall and 7-2 in conference action while the Dragons drop to 8-6 and 3-6. No. 3 Jaxson Rohman kicked things off for the Vikings at high speed, logging three first period takedowns to hold the 9-3 lead. He added to that advantage with an escape and a takedown in the second before collecting two more takedowns in the third. The domination ended in a 19-4 tech fall in 6:34 for the senior. It was No. 2 Cael Larson that struck next for Augustana, stunning with five takedowns in the first period of action. He quickly added in a reversal and another takedown in just under the first minute of the second period to end the match. He secured the 20-5 tech fall in 3:58 to put AU ahead 10-6. At 165 pounds, Peyton Handevidt found himself in a locked-tight brawl that remained scoreless through the first three minutes. He earned an escape on the opening choice of the second period and fought off any sort of attempt from his opponent to take home the gritty 1-0 decision. With Augustana down 14-13, No. 13 Cade Mueller took the mat and got an early takedown to hold the 3-1 lead at the end of the first period. He dominated in the second period with three more takedowns and an escape while adding in two takedowns and a two-point nearfall in the third. With the extra point for riding time, Mueller emerged victorious in 5:53 of action with a 22-5 tech fall at 184 pounds. No. 4 Max Ramberg continued his hot streak in convincing fashion and earned five takedowns and a four-point nearfall in the first 2:40 of the 197-pound match. The 19-4 victory became his 13th tech fall of the season, breaking the Augustana program record. In the final match of the night, Max Balow found himself behind 3-1 at the end of the first period and remained behind after a scoreless second. He fought back to tally a takedown in the third, going up 4-3, but gave up a reversal to fall behind again at 5-4. But the deficit didn't last long as Balow quickly took control and got the pin in 6:15. FULL RESULTS125: No. 3 Jaxson Rohman (AUG) over Clayson Mele (MSUM) (TF 19-4 6:34)133: Ryan Henningson (MSUM) over Owen Hansen (AUG) (Dec. 18-15)141: Pedro Velazquez (MSUM) over Alex Mentzer (AUG) (Dec. 5-1)149: No. 2 Cael Larson (AUG) over Cody Wienen (MSUM) (TF 20-5 3:58)157: Jacob Thomas (MSUM) over Kyle Boeke (AUG) (Dec. 4-1)165: Payton Handevidt (AUG) over Anthony Sykora (MSUM) (Dec. 1-0)174: Mason Gode (MSUM) over Josh Wagener (AUG) (TF 17-2 7:00)184: No. 13 Cade Mueller (AUG) over Wyatt Powell (MSUM) (TF 22-5 5:53)197: No. 4 Max Ramberg (AUG) over William Price (MSUM) (TF 19-4 2:40)285: Max Balow (AUG) over Liam Babitt (MSUM) (Fall 6:15) UP NEXTAugustana will return to Sioux Falls to host the Super Regional V Tournament inside the Elmen Center on Saturday, March 1.
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