Dowling, Barber Take Fourth at Central Invitational

PELLA, Iowa - Seniors Wade Dowling and Curtis Barber earned Simpson's top finishes at the Central Invitational Saturday afternoon, as each took fourth place. No team scores were kept at the tournament.

A 157-pounder from West Des Moines Iowa, Dowling tied his best tournament finish of the season by going 6-2. After losing his second match of the day to the tournament's No. 3 seed, Zac Holland of Augustana, Dowling met up again with Holland in the consolation bracket. He avenged he earlier 4-2 decision with an 11-3 major decision in advancing to the consolation championship, where Dowling fell to Keelan Moore of Wartburg.

"Today was a learning experience for everyone," head coach Clint Manny said. "A few of us weren't ready to wrestle early in the tournament, costing us a few matches. But I was proud of the way we fought on the back side of the bracket."

Barber advanced to the quarterfinals in the championship bracket at 174 pounds before losing his first match of the day, a 12-1 decision against the tournament's No. 1 seed and eventual champion, Jobi Hambrick of Hannibal-LaGrange. Barber then took an 11-8 decision against Missouri Baptist's Justin Jenkins in the consolation semifinals before falling to Augustana's Matthew Burns in the third-place match.

Also competing at 174 pounds, Jordy Ammons earned a pair of wins before falling to Jenkins.

"Wade did well today, wrestling a total of eight matches," Manny said. "Curtis and Jordy both wrestled well at 174 pounds and picked up some quality wins."

Trent VanDorin went 3-2 at 197 pounds and Cory Stratton went 2-2 at 149 as the other Simpson wrestlers with two or more wins on the day.

"We've got a tough road ahead of us as we wrestle four conference opponents head-to-head in the next seven days," Manny said. "We've got to step up and be ready to compete starting Tuesday."

The Storm will travel to Luther on Tuesday to face the Norse. The dual, originally scheduled for Dec. 9 but postponed due to weather, will begin at 7 p.m.