DECATUR, Ill. – Coach Tony Willaert's Augustana wrestling team got the season underway Sunday, going 1-2 in three duals at Millikin's Griswold Center. The Vikings fell 31-15 to North Central and 48-0 to the host Big Blue, but rebounded with a 29-18 victory over Elmhurst to finish the afternoon. Sophomore 285-pounder Daniel Skold (St. Francis HS, Plainfield, Ill.) logged a pair of wins by fall on the day.
 
The Vikings will be in action next on Saturday, January 30, taking on Concordia (Wis.), Carthage and North Central in Naperville, Illinois.
 
NORTH CENTRAL 31, AUGUSTANA 15
 
After Augustana fell behind 13-0, Sophomore Alex Cruz (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.) got the Vikings on the board with an 11-7 win over Eddie Villalobos at 149 pounds. Senior Frankie Faasen (Manasquan HS, Lake Como, N.J.) was awarded a forfeit win at 174 and Augustana's other points came when Skold pinned Andrew Bejarano at 285.
 
MILLIKIN 48, AUGUSTANA 0
 
Millikin recorded five victories by fall, including four at the top five weights, on its way to a 48-0 win. Freshman Angel Cruz (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.) turned in the Vikings' best effort, falling 6-4 to Cameron Lee at 157.
 
AUGUSTANA 29, ELMHURST 18
 
Willaert's crew grabbed a 7-0 lead behind Ellex Williams (Moline HS, Moline, Ill.) and Trevor Boryla (Sycamore HS, Sycamore, Ill.) at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. Williams claimed an 8-0 major decision over Bluejay Dominic Iannantone and Boryla bested Justin Hames 12-8.
 
After consecutive major decisions gave Elmhurst an 8-7 advantage, Angel Cruz's (Batavia HS, Batavia, Ill.) 16-6 major decision over Joe Caringella put Augustana on top for good. Chase Clark (Oregon HS, Mount Morris, Ill.) followed with a pin of Ronald Massari at 165 and Faasen won by fall over Norbert Crecan at 174 to make it 23-8.
 
The Bluejays pulled to within 23-18 with a major decision at 184 and a pin at 197, but Skold sealed the Viking victory with a pin of David Ortiz at 285.