UW-L Falls at Top-Ranked Augsburg

For Immediate Release: Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009

Minneapolis, Minn. – The UW-La Crosse wrestling team fell 29-12 at Augsburg College Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Eagles entered the dual 11th in the Brute-Adidas National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division III Rankings while the Auggies are first.

UW-L drops to 17-6 in duals this year while Augsburg improves to 8-2.

Jonny Brennan, Josh Zabel and Dan Laurent recorded wins for the Eagles Sunday afternoon. Brennan won by major decision (22-8) over Freddie Vigil at 125-pounds to open the dual. Zabel, seventh in the NWCA Rankings at 184-pounds, earned a win by major decision (12-2) over the Auggies' Brad Baus while Laurent, also ranked seventh in the country, defeated fourth-ranked Andrew Witzel by major decision (9-1) at 285-pounds.

Augsburg won the other seven matches, including victories by two of the top-ranked wrestlers in the country. Travis Lang, first at 133-pounds, won by major decision (21-10) over Pat Parrillo while Willy Holst, the top-ranked wrestler at 149, defeated fourth-ranked Matt Mauseth by decision (4-2).

The Auggies' seventh-ranked Tony Valke won by fall (4:16) over the Eagles' Alex Dahl at 141-pounds while fifth-ranked Jason Adams won by major decision (13-5) over Ryan Farwell at 157. Zach Molitor, ranked seventh at 174-pounds, won by fall (1:41) over Mike Schmitz and second-ranked Jared Massey won by decision (8-2) over UW-L's seventh-ranked Andy Moore at 197.

Beau Hansen won by decision (3-0) over Jake Gosch at 165-pounds for Augsburg.

UW-L returns to action Tuesday, Jan. 27 hosting UW-Eau Claire at 6:30 p.m. in the Eagles' final home match of the season.