Mankato, Minn. – The Minnesota State wrestling team will defend the Taylor Center against Augustana Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.

The Mavericks currently hold an overall record of 5-2 and are 3-1 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Minnesota State wrestling team recently climbed up the national rankings in the last Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Poll and are now rated 16th while Augustana is currently receiving votes in the poll.

The Mavericks boast four individually ranked wrestlers in the recent NWCA poll. Corey Abernathy is the 6th rated wrestler at 184 pounds and holds a 12-3 record this season. Zach Johnston earned his first ranking of his career and is now the 7th rated wrestler at 174 pounds. Johnston defended his ranking last week with a 9-2 decision over #8 Jordan Gundrum of Upper Iowa. Matthew Blome enters the match against the Vikings this week as the 9th rated wrestler at 197 pounds with a 10-4 record. Kyle Rathman completes the list of ranked Minnesota State wrestlers, rated 11th at 149 pounds. The freshman from Apple Valley, Minn. is 18-4 this season with an 8-1 record against division II opponents.

The Mavericks and Vikings last met a season ago in Sioux Falls, S.D. with Minnesota State picking up a 21-16 victory. The Mavericks picked up wins in five matches, including two pins by Louie Sanders and Matthew Blome to seal the result.

Augustana holds an overall record of 8-2 and an unblemished NSIC record of 3-0 this season. The Vikings have conference wins over Northern State, Southwest Minnesota State, and MSU Moorhead. Six Augustana wrestlers finished 2-0 last week, picking up wins over SMSU and MSU Moorhead. Lukas Poloncic gained a major decision and a fall in his matches at 174 pounds. Aero Amo also was 2-0 last week and is the lone Viking ranked nationally in the NWCA poll. Amo is the 7th rated wrestler at 184 pounds.

Looking forward Minnesota State will wrestle a dual against St. Cloud State in Mankato on Feb. 3 at 2:00 p.m. and will travel to away matches at Northern State and Southwest Minnesota State to conclude their NSIC season on Feb. 8 and Feb. 9.

For live video of Thursdays dual, click HERE.

Projected Augustana Lineup
125 – Brandon Carrol or Ethan Cota
133 – Brayden Curry
141 – Keaton Schorr
149 – Oscare Ramirez Jr.
157 – Bailey Neises or Bruce Lemon Jr.
165 – Regan Bye or Ben Kelvington
174 – Lukas Poloncic
184 – Aero Amo
197 – Clayton Wahlstrom
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