Minneapolis, MN -- The Augsburg-Wartburg rivalry — affectionately known as the Battle of the Burgs — has had its share of heart-pounding moments. Add the 20-19 home win for the Auggies over the Knights on Friday, January 26 to that list. 

These two teams have dominated Division III wrestling by winning every NCAA Championship since 1995. This was a rematch of the National Duals finals won by Wartburg, 21-19.

Wartburg raced to a 12-0 lead by winning the first three matches, including a major decision by Brett Birchman at 125 and a tech by Joe Pins at 133. 

Augsburg fired back with three straight wins, including a fall by Cooper Willis at 165, for a 13-12 lead after six. Wartburg’s Zane Mulder (174) and Augsburg’s Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (184) traded major decisions before Massoma Endene secured a 6-2 win to give the Knights a 19-17 lead entering the final bout. 

Tyler Kim (Augsburg) and Mitch Williamson (Wartburg) both had opportunities for a takedown but Kim ultimately won in tiebreakers where he fended off multiple shots as time expired. Augsburg won, 20-19, in another riveting edition of the Battle of the Burgs.

MEN'S WRESTLING - The final seconds of Tyler Kim's 2-1 (OT-TB1) win at 285, clinching Augsburg's 20-19 Battle of the Burgs win over Wartburg! #d3wrestle #AuggiePride pic.twitter.com/SU6YEqmJQw

— Augsburg Athletics (@AugsburgAuggies) January 27, 2024

MEN'S WRESTLING - Cooper Willis claims a HUGE second-period pin at 165 pounds, part of Augsburg's 20-19 Battle of the Burgs win over Wartburg! #d3wrestle #AuggiePride pic.twitter.com/eCs9FcJXDu

— Augsburg Athletics (@AugsburgAuggies) January 27, 2024

The Division III NCAA Championships are March 15-16 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. 

Click here for a full replay of the dual.

Augsburg 20, Wartburg 19 — Friday, January 26, 2024
125: Brett Birchman (Wartburg) over Austin Laudenbach (Augsburg) (MD 9-1)
133: Joe Pins (Wartburg) over Chance Suddeth (Augsburg) (TF 20-3 4:45)
141: Kyler Romero (Wartburg) over Sam Stuhl (Augsburg) (Dec 12-6)
149: Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg) over Charlie Dojan (Wartburg) (MD 11-3)
157: Blake Jagodzinske (Augsburg) over Daniel Meeker (Wartburg) (Dec 5-2)
165: Cooper Willis (Augsburg) over Nathan Fuller (Wartburg) (Fall 4:14)
174: Zane Mulder (Wartburg) over Seth Goetzinger (Augsburg) (MD 10-1)
184: Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg) over Kasey Ross (Wartburg) (MD 12-4)
197: Massoma Endene (Wartburg) over Parker Venz (Augsburg) (Dec 6-2)
285: Tyler Kim (Augsburg) over Mitch Williamson (Wartburg) (TB-1 2-1)

National Duals: Wartburg 21, Augsburg 19 — Saturday, January 6, 2024
125: Brett Birchman (Wartburg) over Austin Laudenbach (Augsburg) (Dec 8-3)
133: Joe Pins (Wartburg) over Wyatt Kaczrowski (Augsburg) (TF 21-5)
141: Kyler Romero (Wartburg) over Sam Stuhl (Augsburg) (Dec 11-4)
149: Charlie Stuhl (Augsburg) over Charlie Dojan (Wartburg) (TB-1 5-2)
157: Daniel Meeker (Wartburg) over Blake Jagodzinske (Augsburg) (Dec 7-2)
165: Cooper Willis (Augsburg) over Nathan Fuller (Wartburg) (Fall 2:50)
174: Zane Mulder (Wartburg) over Seth Goetzinger (Augsburg) (Dec 7-2)
184: Bentley Schwanebeck-Ostermann (Augsburg) over Kasey Ross (Wartburg) (Maj 14-3)
197: Massoma Endene (Wartburg) over Parker Venz (Augsburg) (Maj 13-3)
285: Tyler Kim (Augsburg) over Darius Mynar (Wartburg) Fall 2:15