Storm wrestlers host Dubuque on Tuesday at Cowles Fieldhouse
Venue change: Tuesday's dual against Dubuque has been moved to Cowles Fieldhouse on the Simpson campus. It was originally scheduled to be a part of the Warren County Duals, held at Blake Fieldhouse at Indianola Middle School.
The dual: The Simpson wrestling team hosts the Dubuque Spartans of Dubuque, Iowa in the final home dual of the season. The Storm are in search of their first Iowa Conference win while the Spartans open their conference schedule.
Live coverage: Fans can access the meet through Simpson's video streaming portal at SimpsonAthletics.com
The all-time series: Simpson and Dubuque take the mat for the 31st time in a series that dates back to 1960-61. Dubuque leads the series 19-11 and has won eight in a row, including a 63-6 win last season. Simpson last beat Dubuque in 2006-07, a 32-16 win at the IIAC Duals.
A look at the Spartans: Dubuque is 5-4 on the season after a 3-0 showing at the University of Chicago Duals on Saturday, Jan. 2, increasing its winning streak to four. The Spartans beat Manchester 45-6, Ohio Northern 24-20 and Wis.-Oshkosh 30-6. Four Spartans went undefeated in Chicago, led by 157-pounder Kody Krenz who had a pair of pins. Adrian Collier went 2-1 at 149 pounds to improve to a team-best 15-4 on the season. 133-pounder Stephen Rosenburg also went 3-0, moving to 13-5 on the season.
Last time out: Simpson went 2-2 at the Gator "Boots" Duals in Nashville on Dec. 19. The Storm lost to a pair of ranked foes in Mount Union and Ferrum before posting a shutout against Huntingdon. Jonathan Melton, Brett Roberts and DeVaughn Scott all went 3-0 on the day.
Simpson's Projected Lineup
125 - Chase Erickson (0-4)
133 - Cannon Trester (3-9)
141 - Zach Johnston (0-4)
149 - Jonathan Melton (14-3)
157 - Jacob Mize (11-8)
165 - Shane Swank (9-6)
174 - Spencer Ward (3-11)
184 - #9 Brett Roberts (14-2)
197 - DeVaughn Scott (11-8)
285 - Colby Vlieger (11-9)
In the rankings: Brett Roberts became the first Storm wrestler under fourth-year head coach Nate Hansen to earn a top-10 ranking by the NWCA when he came at No. 9 in the latest poll. The senior is 14-2 overall and has won seven matches in a row.
Three Storm wrestlers were recognized in the last D3wrestle.com Rankings. Roberts and 149-pounder Jonathan Melton were listed as "Contenders" while 165-pounder Shane Swank earned an "Honorable Mention" nod. Melton is tied with Roberts for the team lead in wins at 14-3 and Swank is 9-6 with five pins.
Storm post rare shutout: Simpson's 44-0 rout against Huntingdon was the first by a Storm team since blanking Northwestern (Iowa) 53-0 at the end of the 2003-04 season.
Strong showing at Luther Hill Invite: Simpson turned in one of its best performances in recent memory at its own invitational on Dec. 12, crowning two champions and five placewinners. Simpson had just four placewinners the last four seasons combined.
Storm placewinners: The following Storm wrestlers have placed at tournaments so far this season:
RJ Brown
Luther Open, Silver Division - 5th, 165 [11/14/15]
Jason Clark
Luther L. Hill Invitational - 4th, 157 [12/12/15]
Jonathan Melton
Luther L. Hill Invitational - 1st, 149 [12/12/15]
Buena Vista Open - 3rd, 149 [12/5/15]
Jacob Mize
Luther L. Hill Invitational - 5th, 157 [12/12/15]
Buena Vista Open - 6th, 157 [12/5/15]
Damon Piatt
Luther Open, Silver Division - 6th, 174 [11/14/15]
Brett Roberts
Luther L. Hill Invitational - 1st, 184 [12/12/15]
Buena Vista Open - 2nd, 184 [12/5/15]
DeVaughn Scott
Buena Vista Open - 4th, 197 [12/5/15]
Luther Open, Silver Division - 3rd, 197 [11/14/15]
Colby Vleiger
Luther L. Hill Invitational - 3rd, 285 [12/12/15]
