BISMARCK, N.D. – Augustana opened Northern Sun Intercollegaite Conference duals with a 27-16 victory over University of Mary on Sunday afternoon.  The Vikings are 4-1 in duals, 1-0 in NSIC action and the Marauders are 1-1 overall, 1-1 in NSIC action.
 
With Sunday’s victory, head coach Jason Reitmeier notched his 99^th career victory and is in second place behind Paul Kendle’s 154 career wins.
 
TJ North and Jeremiah Peterson gave the Vikings a big lead both wining by pinfall. North, ranked eighth in the country in the 125-pound class, pinned his opponent in 4:12.  133-pound Peterson downed his opponent in 4:25 and the Vikings led the Marauders 12-0 after the first two matches.
 
Fifth-ranked Nate Herda won his 149 pound match 13-10 after Zac Friedrich lost by major decision 13-3.  Shawn Hatlested was then edged out in a close match, 3-2, in the 157-pound division and the Vikings led 15-7 halfway through the dual. 
 
Parker Swanson was injured in his match and the Marauder wrestler was given the default victory, closing the Vikings’ team score margin to 15-13.
 
In the 174-pound match Tim Weber took down U-Mary’s Devito in overtime 5-3 and gave the Vikings a larger cushion 18-13.
 
Jeff Nielsen lost 2-1 on riding time to bring the Marauders within two at 18-16.
 
Ranked fifth in the 197-pound class, Jayd Docken won by forfeit and secured Augustana its fourth victory of the season with a 24-16 with one match remaining.
 
Heavyweight Brian Schultz iced the Marauders with a 10-3 victory and gave the Vikings a 27-16 victory. 
 
Augustana returns to the mat Jan. 12 for the National Wrestling Coaches Association/Cliff Keen National Duals.