Wrestlers pick up first dual win of Hansen era

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Jared Bevins and Jeff Sand picked up two wins, Jason Clark posted a pair of pins and the Simpson wrestling team notched its first dual win of the season on Thursday, beating Knox after losing to No. 19 Augustana at the Carver Center.

The Storm (1-4) handled Knox 40-12 in their second dual of the evening. The win is the first for first-year head wrestling coach Nate Hansen and his staff. In the first dual of the night, Hansen's squad earned three wins but eventually fell to 19th-ranked Augustana 38-13.

Simpson's 197 pounder, Bevins shut out Augustana's Seth Whan 13-0 before pinning Knox's Ryan Lambert in 1:12. Sand (141) earned a 7-3 decision over Augustana's Hector Ruiz and notched his second win via a forfeit. Clark (149) took down Augustana's David Tessiatorie in 3:28 and made quick work of Knox's Eric Vogel, pinning him in just 21 seconds.

Cory Stratton (157) gave Simpson its third win by fall against the Prairie Fire, pinning Aaron Hoover in 1:21. Greg Harlow (165) came away with a 9-0 major decision over Rey Cardenas and Brett Roberts (174) and Tony Saucedo (285) won by forfeit.

Next up for Simpson is a trip to the Gator Duals in New Orleans, La. on Dec. 16.