On January 22, 2010, the Augsburg College wrestling program celebrated “Six Decades of Dominance,” marking the sixtieth anniversary of the program’s founding in 1949 by Edor Nelson and Oliver Dahl. Before the scheduled meet with the University of Nebraska at Omaha — the number one team in Division II — the program held a short celebration with a presentation of the wrestling team’s history. Augsburg — the number one team in Division III — defeated UNO 18–12. After the meet, another gathering was held at Sgt. Preston’s bar, but I didn’t shoot that.
The Jeff Swenson Wrestling Hall of Fame at Augsburg College, which opened in 2009, seen here on January 22, 2010.
Pre-meet
Jim Matzek, father of Head Wrestling Coach Mark Matzek talks with Athletic Director Jeff Swenson at the “Six Decades of Dominance” celebration on Jan. 22, 2010 at Augsburg.
Former Augsburg wrestlers Jim Mastro and Tom Howe talk during the “Six Decades of Dominance” celebration on Jan. 22, 2010. Both Mastro and Howe competed for Augsburg in the early 1970s.
Former Augsburg wrestling and two-time national titlist at 174 pounds in 2004 and 2005 Joe Moon talks with other former wrestlers at the “Six Decades of Dominance” celebration at Augsburg on Jan. 22, 2010.
Augsburg Head Wrestling Coach Mark Matzek talks with a wrestling alumnus at the “Six Decades of Dominance” celebration on Jan. 22, 2010.
Bob Adams, former Augsburg wrestler and father of current wrestler Jayson Adams listens to a speaker at the “Six Decades of Dominance” celebration at Augsburg on Jan. 22, 2010. The two are the only father-son All-Americans in Augsburg history.
Augsburg donor Alan Rice, seen here on Jan. 22, 2010. Rice contributed $1 million to help build the Kennedy Center, which includes a wrestling room and coaches’ offices.
Match
Head Wrestling Coach Mark Matzek walks toward the Augsburg bench at the beginning of a dual meet between the top-ranked schools in DII and DIII: Augsburg and the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Jan. 22, 2010. Augsburg defeated UNO 18–12.
The “famed” Bunch of Guys chorus sings the National Anthem before a wrestling dual meet between Augsburg and the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Jan. 22, 2010. Augsburg tradition allows for “any man in the audience” to sing the national anthem before an athletic event.
Josh Roberts (AUG, 12–6) dec. No. 2 Terrell McKinney (UNO, 20–8) 5–4
Josh Roberts (AUG, 12–6) dec. No. 2 Terrell McKinney (UNO, 20–8) 5–4
Josh Roberts (AUG, 12–6) dec. No. 2 Terrell McKinney (UNO, 20–8) 5–4
No. 2 Cody Garcia (UNO, 34–0) dec. No. 6 Paul Bjorkstrand (AUG, 22–6) 10–6
No. 3 Mario Morgan (UNO, 26–3) dec. No. 5 Jafari Vanier (AUG, 6–3) 9–2
Lucas Murray (AUG, 12–6) dec. Tait Weatherbee (UNO, 14–14) 3–1
No. 5 Jason Adams (AUG, 29–2) dec. No. 2 George Ivanov (UNO, 24–8) 6–3
No. 5 Jason Adams (AUG, 29–2) dec. No. 2 George Ivanov (UNO, 24–8) 6–3
No. 6 Orlando Ponce (AUG, 19–8) dec. No. 4 Ryan Pankoke (UNO, 22–6) 5–3
No. 3 Zach Molitor (AUG, 16–3) dec. Brett Rosedale (UNO, 10–10) 6–0
No. 6 Austin Boehm (UNO, 12–4) dec. Brad Baus (AUG, 13–9) 13–6
No. 6 Austin Boehm (UNO, 12–4) dec. Brad Baus (AUG, 13–9) 13–6
No. 1 Jared Massey (AUG, 15–0) dec. No. 1 Jacob Marrs (UNO, 25–6) 6–2
No. 1 Jared Massey (AUG, 15–0) dec. No. 1 Jacob Marrs (UNO, 25–6) 6–2
No. 1 Jared Massey (AUG, 15–0) dec. No. 1 Jacob Marrs (UNO, 25–6) 6–2
No. 2 Elijah Madison (UNO, 22–5) dec. No. 7 Andy Witzel (AUG, 15–6) 2–0
Tech specs
All images shot with a Canon 30D. Some images shot with 17-85mm f/4–5.6 IS lens, while others were shot with a Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. All images use Canon 580 EX II. Flash is at 45º with bounce card for most actions shots. EXIF intact, but most action shots about 1/250 @ f/4.0 and ISO 800. Others vary.
Thanks for looking and comments are always welcome.
Excellent photos! Some of the best I’ve seen.
Have you tried using High speed sync on your flash. You could boost shutter speed to 1/320,1/400 or faster. Especially with the white circle! That mat is a photographers dream! Great reflector.
I always groan when I walk in and see a dark blue, black, green or any dark mats. And then they hang what looks like a street light over the mat. Light just gets absorbed.
You gave me some ideas. I usually open my lens to 2.8, but yours at f/4 are sharper as expected and you are getting good light.
I haven’t tried the high speed sync (at least not for wrestling — I have played with it before). I was mostly testing the feasibility of using a stroboframe to prevent redeye.
You are correct in that I could have opened up to f/2.8 or even gone to ISO 1600 (or both) which would have reduced the flash output and therefore increase recycle times, but I chose to test it this way. Hopefully in the future I will be able to properly play around with all the different combos.