ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Augustana men's wrestling team hosted their first dual of the season this evening, narrowly edging out conference foe Elmhurst by a 20-19 score. 

In the first two matches of the night, Augustana moved past Elmhurst to jump to a 10-0 lead. Samuel Deyro won via fall over Dominic Iannantone when the match was halted early in the first period for medical purposes. Trevor Boryla then vaulted Augie to their ten-point lead with an 11-3 major decision. 

Troy Mock earned the Bluejays their first points of the match, besting Mikey Rodriguez in a 6-4 overtime decision at the 141-pound class.  

Alex Cruz then swung momentum back in Augie's favor, defeating Zach Kolb by a 10-1 major decision to put the Vikings ahead 14-3. Elmhurst responded with a major decision of their own, trumping Chase Clark at the 157 level.

Each team then traded back-to-back wins. Augie owned the 165 and 174 classes, while the Bluejays applied pressure at the 184 and 197-pound classes. As a result, the score was left at 20-16 heading into the final match. 

With the Bluejays in striking distance, Tom Liesz secured the dual for the Vikings. Liesz (285) stalled Roberto Pena into a 6-2 decision, earning the Vikings their first victory of the season in 20-19 fashion. 

Augustana will be back in action this Saturday, November 12, alongside the Vikings women's team when they travel to the Luther Open in Decorah, Iowa.