OPENING BOUT:
After going 2-2 in the Midwest Duals last weekend, the Southwest Minnesota State University wrestling team (5-5, 0-1 NSIC) will continue Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference duals as it hosts No. 17 Augustana College (13-4, 2-0 NSIC) on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the PE Gym.
 
SCOUTING AUGUSTANA:
The Vikings are 13-4 overall and 2-0 in the NSIC entering the Saturday's dual as Augustana dominated MSU Moorhead, 35-3 to earn its second win in conference action earlier this week. Augustana used two pins and two major decisions to earn its sixth-straight win. Jayd Docken (197) leads the Vikings with an 18-3 record and has won his last five duals. TJ North will enter Saturday's dual at No. 1 in the nation at 125 pounds. He has a 15-3 record this season and is on a 10-dual win streak. Parker Swanson (165) makes his mark with his 15-3 record with a majority of his wins coming from decisions. Jason Reitmeier is in his 12^th season as the head coach of Augustana.
 
SERIES HISTORY — AUGUSTANA:
Southwest Minnesota State and Augustana will meet for the 30th time on Saturday night with Augustana holding a 24-5 advantage in a series that started back in the 1982-83 season. SMSU won last season's dual, 15-14 that snapped a 13-dual losing streak.
 
NATIONAL AND REGION RANKINGS:
Southwest Minnesota State wrestlers Jacob Begin and Cole Wilson are individually ranked in the region rankings. Wilson is also ranked in the regular season NCAA Division II National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.
 
Jacob Begin, a senior from Anoka, Minn., is ranked fifth in the Super Region 3 ranking at 165 pounds and is 17-3 this season.
 
Cole Wilson, a senior from Fairbault, Minn., is ranked fifth nationally at 285 pounds and is third in the region rankings. He is 22-2 this season with 10 falls recorded and is on a nine-dual win streak.
  
As a team, SMSU is ranked 10th in the 15-team Super Region 3 rankings.
 
HEAD COACH:
Jesse Nelson is in his eighth season as head wrestling coach at Southwest Minnesota State. During his tenure, Nelson has led the program to an overall record of 55-50-1. Last season he led the mustangs to a 6-2 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference—most wins since joining the conference in 2000 and highest finish since winning the title that same season. Nelson was named the fourth coach in the history's program on Aug. 22, 2007.
 
PROBABLE LINEUP:
125 pounds | Anthony Luft
133 pounds | Jordan Biehn
141 pounds | Cody Reed or Trent Butcher 
149 pounds | Jake Slocum or John Weeding  
157 pounds | Patrick Kelley or Hunter St. John
165 pounds | Jacob Begin
174 pounds | Colton Vekved 
184 pounds | Brody Goens 
197 pounds | Tristan Ezell or Ashton Bartlett
HWT | Cole Wilson
 
­UP NEXT:
The Mustangs will travel to Aberdeen, S.D. to face Northern State on Jan. 28.