The nationally-ranked SJU wrestling team begins dual competition by traveling to face No. 28 Loras (Iowa) and No. 6 Wartburg (Iowa) this Wednesday, Dec. 2. The Johnnies are scheduled to face the Duhawks at 5 p.m. before taking on the host Knights at 6 p.m. in Waverly, Iowa.

A LOOK AT THE JOHNNIES: Eleven of the 19 Saint John's wrestlers place in the Top Eight of their respective weight classes at the 2009 Augsburg-Brute-Adidas Open on Saturday, Nov. 21. Freshman Mitch Hagen (Sunburg, Minn./Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg) won the 184-pound Silver bracket with a 4-0 record, including a pair of pins. Sophomore Derik Gertken (Paynesville, Minn./Rocori) finished second in the 141-pound bronze bracket with a 3-1 record, while freshman Jay Woiwor (Becker, Minn.) followed in fourth with a 2-2 record. Freshman Charlie Kirscht (Garfield, Minn./Alexandria) claimed third place in the 149-pound silver bracket (3-1 record), and freshman Cody Goldschmidt (Waconia, Minn./BOLD) and sophomore Scott Padrnos (Brainerd, Minn.) took fourth at 149 and 125 pounds, respectively. Junior Matt Baarson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Champlin Park), sophomore Matt Pfarr (Le Sueur, Minn./Le Sueur-Henderson) and freshman Chris Stevermer (Savage, Minn./Prior Lake) all finished fifth in their respective brackets. Senior Mogi Baatar (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia/St. Benedict's Prep (N.J.), juniors Minga Batsukh (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia/St. Benedict's Prep (N.J.) and Dustin Baxter (Fairbanks, Alaska/West Valley) and sophomore Cody Socher (Delano, Minn.) did not compete.

A LOOK AT THE DUHAWKS: The Duhawks are ranked No. 28 in the NWCA Division III Brute Adidas poll released Nov. 17. Senior Erik Hanson returns as Loras' returning national entrant. He went 1-2 at nationals to finish his junior year with a 26-9 record at 157 pounds.

THE LAST MEETING: The Johnnies defeated then-No. 23 Loras 19-17 at the Wis.-La Crosse Duals on Dec. 1, 2007. Baatar had a major decision over Mark Beatty 11-1 and junior Tony Willaert (North Mankato, Minn./Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial) pinned J.P. Williams.

A LOOK AT THE KNIGHTS: No. 6 Wartburg, the two-time defending NCAA Division III national champions, has six individuals ranked in the NWCA Division III Brute-Adidas poll released Nov. 17: junior All-American Mark Kist is second at 125 pounds; senior Sean White is ninth at 133 pounds; junior T.J. Moen is 10th at 149 pounds; junior Carrington Banks is sixth at 175; sophomore Bryon Tate is seventh at 197 pounds; and junior John Helgerson is third at heavyweight.