Dominick Ingram, Staff Writer

Augsburg winter sports are fully underway, and they have continued their high standard of excellence. Augsburg’s six winter sports teams, which include men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s hockey and men’s and women’s wrestling are all off to a combined 28-7-0 (.800) start to the 2019-20 season. With this much success so early on, it always brings up the question: Will it continue? 

Both Auggie basketball teams have been great to start the season, with women’s basketball sitting at 8-1 and men’s basketball sitting at 5-1. Both teams are considered top teams in their conference, and both have been ranked nationally throughout the season. With leading scorers back again for both teams as well as plenty of returning veteran leadership, both squads have what it takes to improve on their previous season. 

After winning the MIAC championship last year, the Auggie men’s hockey team seems to be in a great position to repeat that accomplishment. Sitting at 8-2 so far, they are primed to be back in a similar position this winter with several new first years making significant contributions. Women’s hockey is off to sort of a different start, starting their season at 5-3 but still good for 4th in the MIAC. Currently, on a two-game win streak, the Auggie women’s hockey team will look to continue their winning streak after their holiday break.

The Auggie men’s wrestling team has kept up their strong legacy, currently sitting as the No. 3 team in the nation. With five Auggies winning weight-class titles, they dominated in capturing the team title at the North Central College Men’s Invitational last Saturday. They will undoubtedly make another title run this spring. The Augsburg women’s wrestling team has gotten off to a great start to their inaugural season. After earning a victory in their first-ever dual meet, the team achieved a 35-8 win against the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. With Augsburg’s rich history in wrestling, they are sure to have a successful season.

With many of those teams high in the national rankings for their respective sport, Auggie Athletics is making a name for Augsburg nationwide once again and seem determined to continue their early-season success.