Live Coverage: NCAA Wrestling Showdown

No other wrestling meet in NCAA Division III has been as exciting in the past three decades as the annual meeting of the ‘Burgs. 

That’s Wartburg and Augsburg, perennially the top two ranked teams in Division III.

This year Wartburg will host the Battle of the Burgs on January 30, 2025, at Levick Arena in Waverly. The meet between these two powerhouse wrestling organizations was designated the special title in 2009. In 2015, a traveling belt was introduced to the rivalry. Named the Swens-Milboy Belt after legendary coaches Jeff Swenson (who coached the Augsburg wrestling team from 1986-2007) and Jim Miller (who coached Wartburg’s wrestling team from 1991-2013), the prized belt has stayed in Waverly until last season when Augsburg beat the Knights, 20-19.

This year the Burg from Minneapolis is looking to keep the coveted belt and pull off another upset of No. 1-ranked Wartburg. Currently Augsburg is ranked No. 2.

“This Wartburg-Augsburg thing … wow,” said Jim Miller, the former Wartburg coach and current commentator for Iowa PBS, who is airing five NCAA wrestling meets on its statewide network this season.

“In 30 years those are the only two schools that have won a DIII (wrestling) title,” Miller said. “In 30 years. That is amazing.”

The Battle of the Burgs is one of the most anticipated events in NCAA Division III sports, and it’s easy to see why this rivalry doesn’t disappoint.

Since 1995, well before any members of the current rosters were born, the Division III national championship has been won by either Wartburg or Augsburg, proof that good wrestling isn’t reserved for the bigger schools.

"These guys are great wrestlers. Just because they don’t wrestle for Iowa, UNI or Iowa State doesn’t mean that they’re not great wrestlers,” said Tim Johnson, a former wrestling coach and current play caller for Iowa PBS.

College Wrestling has returned to our live coverage roster on air and online. Usher in a new era of wrestlers as College Wrestling makes its triumphant return showcasing five exciting small college duals, including powerhouse programs from Division II, Division III and the NAIA.

Upcoming live coverage will be as follows*:

  • Thursday, January 30: Augsburg University vs. Wartburg College
  • Thursday, February 6: Central College vs. Luther College
  • Tuesday, February 11: William Penn University vs. Grand View University Women

*Coverage and start times are subject to change.