Men end NCC run, prepare for Regionals
By Erin Mangen
Mirror Sports Editor March 13, 2008
The Augustana men’s basketball team ended their chances to win the North Central Conference (NCC) tournament title on Saturday, March 8, after falling to the University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Sioux 82-68 in the semifinal game in Mankato, Minn.
Coach TomBilleter remains positive, despite the loss. “The game Saturday will probably work out for the best that we lost,” Billeter said. “It gave us more time to rest and get ready for the NCAA Tournament Regionals in Winona. UND played great and would have beaten just about anybody that day.”
The Vikings, with a record of 21-8, did not score a field goal for a period of 7:32 in the second half. During this time, the Fighting Sioux, (15-4), took control.
Track team finishes strong, prepares for outdoors
By Mike Billeter
Mirror Staff Writer March 7, 2008
In one of their strongest team finishes ever, the Augustana women’s and men’s track teams finished third and sixth, respectively, at the North Central Conference (NCC) Indoor Track and Field Championships in Mankato, Minn., last Saturday. The women also scored their highest point total in school history for indoor track, improving 26 points over their previous high score for a total of 124 points.
“This was a good performance all around for both of our teams,” Track and field coach Tracy Hellmann said. “Our distance runners scored big in almost every event and our throwers threw really well.”
So well, in fact, that the women’s team brought home first and third place finishes in shot put, with senior Lindsey Schultz earning first place for her throw of 44-9.50 and freshman Noel Bentele taking third with a throw of 41-2.25. The Vikings also saw strong performances from sophomore Caitlin Polgreen, who finished third in both the 1,000-meter run and the mile, and sophomore Alyssa Anderson, who finished second in the 3,000-meter run.
Vikings unleash powerful offense against Huskies
By Spencer Ferrell
Mirror Staff Writer February 29, 2008
A crowd of life-size Oles filled the Elmen Center on Saturday, Feb. 24, when the Augustana Vikings battled an invasion from the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Huskies. Augustana ended the night with an 86-68 score over SCSU, leaving the Vikings with a 19-7 record.
Though Augustana never lost the lead in the first half, it was not until the second half that they were able to widen the gap and close the game.
Returning from a 45-40 lead at the half, Augustana scored an unanswered 11 points to increase the score to 56-40 within the first five minutes of the second half. The closest the Huskies came to challenging the lead was within 12 points, with a score of 62-50, but senior point guard Corey McIntosh and junior forward Eric Krogman’s points quieted the opposition.
McIntosh, Krogman, sophomore point guard David Foster and senior center Tom VerDouw all put up double figures throughout the night. McIntosh concluded the game with 22 points and 11 assists while Krogman finished with 12 points, Foster with 16 and VerDouw with 13. In the final home game of the regular season, the Vikings made Ole proud with an excellent victory.
“We played well, both offensively and defensively,” Coach Tom Billeter said. “It was a pretty big game.”
Senior night generates much-needed wins for Vikes
By Erin Mangen
Mirror Sports Editor February 22, 2008
Senior night was particularly special for senior Vikings Beau Severtson and Aaron Haddorff as the Augustana wrestling team took down the No. 20-ranked Northern State University Wolves (NSU) in a 21-12 decision Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Elmen Center.
“It was a good win for us as a team to get back on track after our tough North Central Conference schedule,” Haddorff said. “We have always had success against NSU so we did not want to have any letdowns against them.”
Severtson sparked the Viking fire. Ranked No. 7 in the nation at 184 pounds, he put an end to the Wolves’ early nine-point lead and defeated Cale Cornemann 4-2. The rest of the Vikings followed his example and won seven of the following nine matches.
Vikings to shoot for first in NCC
Three-game winning streak preps Augustana for conference play
By Luke Tatge
Mirror Editor January 25, 2008
On the heels of a three-game winning streak, the Augustana Vikings men’s basketball team is prepping its man-to-man defense for a game against the Minnesota State University – Mankato (MSU) Mavericks that could potentially place them at first in the North Central Conference (NCC).
“We’re looking forward to the game,” junior point guard Marques Blank said. “We’re excited about the opportunity we’ve put ourselves into.”
On Thursday, Jan. 17, the Vikings took on the University of Minnesota – Duluth (UMD) Bulldogs, winning the game 63-53. Junior forward Eric Krogman excelled, scoring 16 of 18 in the second half and shooting 5 for 5 from the field and 3 for 3 at the three-point range.
The Vikings followed that game with another successful match-up versus the St. Cloud State University (SCSU) Huskies on Saturday, Jan. 19. Augustana upset No-19-ranked St. Cloud 75-63.
Blank led the team in scoring with 15 points, followed by senior center Tom VerDouw with 13 points. The team was 23 of 27 in free throw shooting and they held SCSU to 2 of 26 at the three-point line. The Vikings’ current record is 15-4 overall and 3-1 in the NCC.
“Defense definitely wins games,” sophomore point guard David Foster said. “We’ve learned that in recent games. We have to carry that over to Saturday.”
Foster achieved his first career double at the Jan. 12 game against the University of South Dakota (USD) Coyotes, earning 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Viking wrestlers see advantage of youthful team, improvement
By Luke Tatge
Mirror Editor January 25, 2008
Leading up to a meet against the University of Sioux Falls (USF) Cougars and the Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) Tigers last Wednesday night, the Augustana Vikings wrestlers having been hitting the mats heavily since the beginning of their season last November.
At their last meet on Saturday, Jan. 19, the Vikings fell 33-6 to the Minnesota State University – Mankato (MSU) Mavericks. The Vikings won two matches and remained open in the 197-pound bracket.
The two matches were won by 141-pounder freshman Jay Sherer and 184-pounder senior Beau Severtson, who was recently named the North Central Conference (NCC) Wrestler of the Week last Tuesday.
Women’s missed shots against Wildcats end streak
By Corey Hermanson
Mirror Staff Writer December 7, 2007
Poor shooting plagued the 14th ranked Augustana womens’ basketball team as their streak of 29 straight home non-conference wins, dating back to Dec. 2003, ended with a 68-57 loss to Wayne State College Wildcats Tuesday at the Elmen Center.
The Vikings made just two of 14 (14 percent) 3-point attempts and shot 13 of 51 (25 percent) from the field. Augustana pulled out to a 4-3 lead to start the game, but would never see the lead again despite pulling close numerous times.
“You don’t win too many games shooting that percentage,” Vikings coach Dave Krauth said, who didn’t believe the poor shooting night was a result of bad shots, but good defense from the opponent. “I thought most of our misses were shots that we’ll normally make, but you’ve got give the Wayne State defense some of the credit.”
Viking women's basketball team starts season on top
By Corey Hermanson
Mirror Staff Writer November 30, 2007
Women’s basketball coach Dave Krauth will take what the Vikings are giving him, even if he cannot quite put his finger on the reason for the team’s impressive 6-1 start.
“It’s been good individual play; junior Whitney Hofer’s play was very good over our first couple weekends in California and at Concordia in St. Paul,” Krauth said.
Krauth said the team members are highly motivated.
Hellman urges team growth
By Marit Karbowski
Mirror Sports Co-Editor November 30, 2007
The Augustana viking women’s cross country coach Tracy Hellman has had a year that most North Central Conference (NCC) coaches only dream about. Hellman worked hard with the team and led them to the NCAA National Championships in Joplin, Mo.
The women placed eighth at the NCAA National Championships with 232 points. This year’s team is the most successful women’s cross country team in Augustana history.
Senior Rachel Stangler placed seventh overall at the meet and earned All-American honors. She finished the race in 20:53.7.
