Devin Schelske, sports editor

In their fifth year as a program, the Augsburg Womens Wrestling team finished in 19th place out of 49 teams at the National Collegiate Womens Wrestling Championships (NCWWC). The Auggies were represented by three wrestlers who qualified through the NCWWC region four tournament. Junior Nina Makem punched her ticket to the NCWWC Nationals after crushing each opponent in her bracket with a dominant 3-0 tournament record to take first place in the 155 pound weight class. Senior Autumn Flanigan put up a strong effort with a 4-1 tournament record, ending with a win to secure third place in the 143 pound weight class and a trip to the National tournament. Senior Melissa Jacobs took fourth place in the 191 pound weight class with a tournament record of 3-2 and also punched her ticket to the NCWWC Nationals. 

Each of the Auggie qualifiers were veterans of the NCWWC National tournament. Nina Makem made her third appearance while Autumn Flanigan and Melissa Jacobs both made their fourth appearances. 

Makem started off the National tournament on fire, reaching the quarterfinals after two first-round pins. Makem was sent to wrestlebacks after a 2-6 loss in the quarterfinal round. In her first round of wrestlebacks, she earned All-American honors with yet another first round pin. Her next two rounds would prove to be disappointing with a loss by decision and another by pinfall. On the upside, Makem took eighth place in the 155 pound weight class and has her senior season to look forward to. Makem finished her season with a 28-4 record, sixth-most season wins all-time in school history.  Her 12 pins were third-most in a season in school history. In her career, she has a record of 84-16, 43 wins by technical fall and 23 by pin. Makem’s 84 wins are enough to give her the winningest record in school history to go along with an Augsburg career record of 43 technical falls. Her 23 career pins are third most in school history. Makem will surely be looking to add on to each in the coming 2024-2025 season.

Flanigan started her final tournament off with a bang and won by technical fall in the first round. Her momentum didn’t last as she was sent to wrestlebacks after following a 2-4 loss by decision. However, Flanigan barrelled down the back side of the bracket with two wins by pin, setting her up with a chance to take home All-American honors. Unfortunately, she was sent home on a rare 3-3 criteria loss. But after such shortcomings, she ended her career with a record of 61-35 and is in the history books with 25 wins by pin and 23 by technical fall. Her 25 wins are second in school history and her 23 technical falls are tied for fourth. 

Jacobs started her final tournament off with a pin but was unable to rally further. Her final two rounds ended in losses by technical fall and decision. Jacobs finished her career with a record of 48-57 with 16 wins by pin and four by technical fall. 

Although each wrestler ended their seasons on losses, they’ve accomplished what few can do through years of dedication and hard work. After looking ahead to things their whole careers, each wrestler has a chance to finally look back to see how far they’ve come.