Augsburg overcame a wobbly start Friday and moved to the front of the pack at the NCAA Division III Championships. 

The Auggies — in pursuit of of their second straight D3 title and 15th in program history — finished the tournament’s first day with 59 points to hold a 9.5-point lead over second-place Wisconsin-La Crosse going into Saturday’s semifinals. Wartburg is third with 49 points, followed by Johnson & Wales (44) and Wisconsin-Eau Claire (41). 

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Augsburg suffered three early losses in Friday’s preliminary round, including one at 141 pounds, where Roanoke College’s Mark Samuel knocked off returning national champ Sam Stuhl 9-1. 

The Auggies, however, still managed to build a lead, thanks to six All-Americans and three semifinalists. 

UW-La Crosse is bidding to become the first school other than Augsburg or Wartburg to win the D3 title since Ithaca won the title in 1994. The Eagles have four semifinalists and another in the consolations. 

Wartburg also has one in the consolations and four in the semis, including returning champs Zane Mulder (174) and Massoma Endene (197). 

North Central’s Robbie Precin notched a pair of victories Friday at 133 pounds, extending his winning streak to 92, the ninth-longest victory string in college wrestling history.