Brus and Stratton record pins, Simpson falls to BVU

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Buena Vista spoiled Simpson's senior night festivities Wednesday night at Hopper Gymnasium, as the Beavers notched a 28-18 win in the Storm's final home match of the season.

Caleb Brus and Cory Stratton recorded pins for the Storm (1-7, 0-2 IIAC), but a forfeit and a major decision proved the difference in the dual.

"I have been very pleased with our wrestlers' attitudes and work ethic the last few weeks," head coach Clint Manny said. "We faced some unfortunate circumstances throughout our lineup the last few weeks, but the guys who competed tonight showed great perseverance."

With the score tied at 18 after the heavyweight match, the Beavers (1-7, 1-2 IIAC) benefitted from a forfeit at 125 before Austin Mogg took a 20-7 major decision from Jeff Sand to close the contest.

A junior from Creston, Iowa, Brus improved his record to 17-5 on the season, picking up his fifth pin along the way. Brus took Tim Vore to the mat 2:01 into the 141-pound match.

Stratton, a freshman from Grimes, Iowa, earned his eighth win of the season (8-3) and his fourth pin when he took down Lucas Harm 58 seconds into the 157-pound match.

Wade Dowling and Jordy Ammons (pictured) earned close decisions at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively. Dowling took a 5-3 decision from Roman Villegas before Ammons snuck by Nate Tool, 5-4.

"I was particularly pleased with our junior leader, Jordy Ammons," Manny said. "He wrestled a very tough opponent but got the job done with a takedown in the third period."

At 184 pounds, Curtis Barber saw his four-match winning streak come to an end when Tyler Winkleman escaped with a 6-5 decision.

Simpson returns to action Saturday, Jan. 19 when it makes the short trip to Pella, Iowa for the Central Invitational. The tournament is set to begin at 9 a.m.

"I want us to bring the same intensity and attitude we had tonight into Central on Saturday," Manny said.

Notes: Simpson recognized three seniors making their final home appearance wearing the Red and Gold: Curtis Barber (Winterset, Iowa/Winterset), Sam Collora (Mt. Pleasant, Iowa/Mt. Pleasant) and Wade Dowling (West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley) all wrestled their final match at Hopper Gymnasium Wednesday night.