Storm wrestlers fall to Buena Vista

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Despite bonus-point wins by Jason Clark and Jared Bevins, the Simpson wrestling team dropped a close, 28-22 decision to Buena Vista in its return to Hopper Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

The dual was tied 22-22 heading into the final weight of the evening, but Buena Vista's Gable Bonner pinned Tony Saucedo at 285 to spoil Simpson's bid at its first dual win of the Iowa Conference season.

Clark pinned Tim Vore in 1:57 at 149 pounds and Bevins came away with a 14-4 major decision over Jared Bronaugh at 197 to lead the Storm (1-9, 0-3).

The major decision by Bevins tied the score, completing a comeback after Simpson trailed 22-6 after the 165-pound match. Buena Vista forfeits at 174 and 184 cut the lead to four.

Cameron Mennenoh won by fall over Sam Reichenbacker at 133 pounds and Steve Gutchenritter came back for a 13-4 major decision over Spencer Courier at 141 pounds to lead the Beavers (1-3, 1-2).

The tightest matches of the night came at the middle weights – 157 and 165.

At 157, Derek Entz scored a key reversal as part of a seven-point, second period to take a 9-3 lead going into the third. But Dustin Shinkle came back with nine in the final frame to steal a 12-10 decision from Entz.

At 165, Cory Stratton battled Seth Shatto to a 0-0 stalemate after the first period before falling 6-2.

The dual marked the first time the Storm competed inside Hopper Gymnasium since Feb. 9, 2011. Simpson didn't compete in the cozy facility in 2011-12 - it was utilized as a makeshift mail room and book store while construction of the Kent Campus Center was completed. 

Simpson will complete most of its remaining conference schedule this Saturday, Jan. 26 when it travels to Decorah, Iowa for the Iowa Conference Duals. There, Simpson will face Luther (9 a.m.), Coe (11 a.m.) and Loras (1 p.m.).