Wrestling team not enough for Wartburg

WAVERLY, Iowa - Ryan Joint scored a major decsion at 149 pounds in the Simpson wrestling team's 48-4 loss to Wartburg in the Iowa Conference opener for both teams on Wednesday.

"There are lots of positives to take away from tonight's dual," head coach Nate Hansen said. "Every man fought and we worked to score points the entire match."

Joint beat Mark Pinero 11-2, just days after Pinero beat him in a major decision at the Luther Open.

"I'm very pleased with the group's overall effort and elated about Joint's win," Hansen said. "He is very coachable and learns extremely fast. He's on the rise and has a bright future."

Wartburg scored three pins in the match, but Simpson scored points against the three-time defending national champions for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

Results
125 – WAR wins by forfeit.  133 – WAR wins by forfeit.  141 – Jace Lopez, WAR, major dec., Jeff Sand, 15-3.  149 – Ryan Joint, SIM, major dec., Mark Pinero, 11-2.  157 – Nick Michael, WAR, pinned Jacob Mize, 3:57.  165 – Brett Yankovic, WAR, pinned Shane Swank, 1:13.  174 – Landon Williams, WAR, major dec., Brett Roberts, 11-2.  184 – Gerald Roman, WAR, major. dec., Taylor Witzel, 13-2.  197 – Brit Bastow, WAR, pinned Mitch Stoltzman, 1:09.  285 – Ryan Fank, WAR, pinned Colby Vlieger, 4:25.