Auggies win four individual crowns, ninth team title

Mike Ludwig
March 5, 2005

Augsburg College had an NCAA record-tying four individual champions, including 157-pound standout Marcus LeVesseur, on the way to the Auggie's ninth national championship in school history at St. Olaf's Tostrud Center in Northfield Saturday.

LeVesseur won his title bout 7-0 over Ryan LeBeau of Luther College to improve to 124-0 for his career, which is the second longest winning streak in college wrestling history in any Division.

"This one is a little more special because actually I'm going to win a team title," said LeVesseur of the Auggies, who have finished second the last two seasons.

LeVesseur becomes one of seven in NCAA history to win three titles in any weight class and the first since 1999.

Iowa State's Cael Sanderson won 159 consecutive matches from 1999-2002.

The Auggies tied an NCAA record with four individual champions. Augsburg accomplished the feat in 2000 and 2004 as well, as did with John Carroll in 1975, Montclair State in 1976 and Wartburg in 2004.

Augsburg?s LeVesseur, Matt Shankey at 125 pounds, Mark Matzek at 133 pounds and Joe Moon at 174 each repeated as champions and finished the season undefeated.

"It's just mind boggling," said Augsburg head coach Jeff Swenson. "This'll be in the storybooks long after I'm done coaching."

Augsburg College touted ten All-Americans in this year's tournament, a mark that ties Wartburg's record from 2003.

Wartburg finished second with 104 points. The Knights had two repeat champions as well, Dustin Hinchberger at 141 and Akeem Carter at 197.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.