Simpson takes four from No. 12 Cornell in loss

MT. VERNON, Iowa - In a solid, all-around effort, the Simpson wrestling team took four of nine contested matches against the No. 12 team in the nation before losing to Cornell 26-12 on Tuesday night.

The Storm (2-3) gave up six points due to a forfeit at 125 but controlled the middle weights, winning 4 of 5 matches from 149 to 184.

Cornell started the dual with 12 points and made it 15-0 after a decision at 141 pounds.

Jonathan Melton got the scoring started for Simpson, earning a 6-5 decision over Josh Martin at 149. Jacob Mize followed with a 7-5, sudden-victory win over Aaron Engle at 157. Brian Haynes ran the streak to three in a row with a 3-1 defeat of Michael Maksimovic at 165.

Cornell's Brent Hamm - ranked 10th in the nation - earned a hard-fought, 5-2 win over Brett Roberts at 174 pounds to give the Rams an 18-9 lead. At 184, Spencer Ward provided Simpson with its fourth win, outlasting James Garrett 7-4 to narrow the gap to 18-12.

Up Next: Simpson travels to Nashville, Tenn. for the Gator 'Boots' Duals hosted by Luther College on Saturday, Dec. 20. There, the Storm will face St. John's (Minn.), Johnson & Wales, Waynesburg and Alma. 

Individual results
125 – Scott Smith (Cor) won by forfeit. 133 – #5 Phillip Opelt (Cor) pinned Devan Berrian, 3:27. 141 – Nathan Shank (Cor) dec. Dalton Kenig, 8-5. 149 – Jonathan Melton (Sim) dec. Josh Martin, 6-5. 157 – Jake Mize (Sim) dec. Aaron Engle, 7-5 SV-1. 165 – Brian Haynes (Sim) dec. Michael Maksimovic, 3-1. 174 – #10 Brent Hamm (Cor) dec. Brett Roberts, 5-2. 184 – Spencer Ward (Sim) dec. James Garrett, 7-4. 197 – Aburough Abegesah (Cor) tech fall Ethan Calvert, 22-6 (5:22). 285 – Eric Tucker (Cor) dec. Colby Vlieger, 3-1.