By Jim Nelson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Maybe, just maybe Zach Molitor likes the big stage.                        Whether that is true or not, the Augsburg College junior definitely performs his best under the spotlight.

            For the second consecutive season, a Molitor pin sparked the Auggies to an NWCA Cliff Keen National Duals title at the UNI-Dome on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa.

            Molitor’s flattening of archrival Wartburg’s Dylan Azinger in 3:52 at 174 pounds was the difference in Augsburg’s 18-15 win over the Knights in the Division III title match.

            It was the Auggies’ fifth NWCA title and second in a row. In the nine years Division III has been part of the NWCA National Duals field, Augsburg and Wartburg have faced each other in the championship dual eight times.

            Only in 2008, when the Knights beat Wisconsin-La Crosse, 25-8, has there been a different final.

            “It was a typical Augsburg-Wartburg match where it was back-and-forth every single match,” Auggie head coach Mark Matzek said.

            A year ago, Molitor pinned Wartburg’s Grant Jenkins in 6:23 and eventual national champion Jared Massey followed with a pin at 197 in the Auggies’ 21-20 victory in the NWCA finals.

            “It was a close dual meet and I knew bonus points would be huge,” Molitor said. “I just went out there and created an opportunity.

            “I was on top and I did what we call an Oklahoma cut through. He turned back into me and I put him on his back.”

            Each team won five matches in the meet, so the six points Molitor, sixth last year at 174, earned for the pin accounted for the margin of victory.

            “He really steps up to a challenge,” Matzek said. “That was his goal to get bonus points in that match and I can’t say much more than I’m proud of him.”

            Augsburg also got wins from Paul Bjorkstrand at 133, Jafari Vanier at 141, Jason Adams at 157 and Massey at 197.

            Wartburg head coach Jim Miller said Bjorkstand’s upset victory over two-time all-American Matt Kelly was probably as important as Molitor’s pin.

            “That loss at 133 hurt us. We gave up two penalty points and get beat by one. That also was a difference in the meet,” Miller said. “It was a fight, a fight up and down the line up like we knew it would be ... hoped it would be.”

            The Knights, who have won four NWCA titles themselves, came in as a rare underdog. Wartburg, the two-time defending national champion, was seeded fourth, but a team that has seven new starters and is starting to find its identity.

            “I think we proved to ourselves that we are in the mix. We are one of the teams that could win,” Miller said. “I think it was a good weekend. We battled the best teams. We’re in there somewhere.”

            Top-seeded and favored Wisconsin-La Crosse dropped a 22-15 decision to Delaware Valley in the quarterfinals before bouncing back to win three straight matches and earn fifth place.

            The Eagles were without All-American Andy Moore at 197 and 2008 national qualifier Jay Milz at 157.

            “I think we learned we can’t overlook anybody,” La Crosse head coach Dave Malecek said. “I think we had some guys more concerned about what was going on the mat next to us rather than our mat.

            “At the same time I think we are making strides. I’m really happy with how the guys came back and fought hard.

            “Yeah we would’ve liked to been in the semifinals, the finals, but we’re going to build from it. I like where this team is. If we get healthy I feel real good about our chances.”

            Third-seeded Coe College rallied from a 13-4 deficit to beat Delaware Valley, 22-13, for third place. It was the Kohawks best finish at the National Duals, upping one step from their fourth-place finish a year ago.