Wrestlers dominate Knox, fall to Augustana

PELLA, Iowa – Ryan Joint and Colby Vlieger each won two matches and the Simpson wrestling team picked up its first dual win of the season with a 47-6 triumph over Knox on Thursday night.

The Storm (1-2) dropped a 31-9 decision to Augustana (Ill.) to start the night in the neutral-site dual.

Joined earned pins at 149 pounds in both duals, beating Augustana's Hector Ruis in 2:56 and Knox's Kyle Heller in 0:41. Vlieger, Simpson's 285-pounder, scored a 3-1 decision over Augustana's John Schraidt and pinned Knox's Joe Chirbas in 1:20.

The Storm won nine matches against Knox, picking up bonus points in seven. Shane Swank beat Aaron Hoover by a 21-6 technical fall at 165 and Sam Reichenbacker (141), Brett Roberts (174) and Jared Bevins (197) all won by forfeit.

Jacob Mize beat Eric Vogel 13-6 at 157 pounds and Taylor Witzel tallied a 7-3 decision over Matt Surpenant at 184. Jeff Sand won by injury default against Esai Ponce at 141.

Simpson will hit the mat at home for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 7 when it hosts the First Annual Luther L. Hill Invitational, formerly the Simpson Invitational. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m.