Storm wrestlers edged by Buena Vista

STORM LAKE, Iowa – The Simpson wrestling team got five wins Friday night but couldn't make up for a pair of Buena Vista technical falls, suffering a tough 22-20 loss.

The Storm (2-10, 0-6 Iowa Conference) led 20-11 with two matches to go, but a technical fall and a forfeit spelled doom for Simpson's chances at picking up a conference win.

Jason Clark and Spencer Ward earned technical falls for Simpson while Brett Roberts and Colby Vlieger had decisions. RJ Brown won by forfeit.

The dual started at 141 pounds and Simpson trailed 11-0 after the first three matches. Clark earned the Storm's first win, beating Marquis Dominique 11-0 at 165. After Brown collected the forfeit at 174, Ward – wrestling up a weight – beat Kevin Pape 10-1 at 184 to give Simpson the lead.

Brett Roberts – also wrestling up a weight – avoided a pin near the end of the second period and hung on to beat Austin Hayes 13-8 at 197. Vlieger edged out Gable Bonner 3-2 at 285 to make the lead 20-11.

Ernesto Garcia picked up a 15-0 technical fall over Chase Erickson at 125 for the Beavers (3-8, 1-4). Simpson was forced to forfeit the 133-pound match, making the final margin 22-20.

Up next: Simpson goes to Central on Thursday, Feb. 11 to close the dual season.