Wrestling looks forward to entertaining schedule
INDIANOLA, Iowa — With the start of the season just a week away, the Simpson wrestling team is looking forward to one of its most exciting schedules in recent memory. The Storm will wrestle in three different venues on campus, travel out of state and even take part in an outdoor dual to start the season.
"We are very excited about the season and getting into our competition phase," fifth-year head coach Nate Hansen said. "At this point, it looks as though not only are our student-athletes going to be highly entertaining, but our schedule also has a number of interesting dates."
The first date of note is the season-opener on Thursday, Nov. 3 when the Storm travel to Cornell for "Ash Park After Dark," a dual meet with the Rams set to take place at Cornell's football stadium. Much like last year's "Grapple on the Gridiron" at Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, a large crowd is expected as the Storm take on the former Iowa Conference foe. Start time is set for 6:30 p.m. in Mount Vernon.
Simpson will host three duals and one tournament in 2016-17, utilizing three different venues on campus. The first two home events -- the home-opener against Wartburg on Nov. 16 and the Luther L. Hill Invitational on Dec. 10 -- will take place in Cowles Fieldhouse. Simpson's Senior Day will be held on Friday, Feb. 3 for the second "Brawl in the Black Box" as the Storm host Buena Vista inside the Kent Campus Center's Black Box Theater. The last dual of the season will take place in the original home of Simpson wrestling, Hopper Gym, on Friday, Feb. 9 as the Storm host their oldest rival, the Central Dutch.
Simpson will hit the road for eight regular-season tournaments throughout the season, including a trip to Nashville, Tenn. for the Gator "Boots" Duals. Co-hosted annually by Luther College and McGavock High School, Simpson will make its third-straight trip to Nashville, where it will face three-to-four opponents outside of the region. The full schedule is pending.
This year's Iowa Conference Duals will be hosted by Luther on Saturday, Jan. 21. There's a new opponent in the mix this season, as Simpson will take on Luther, Loras, Coe, and conference newcomer, Nebraska Wesleyan.
Storm wrestlers will get a chance to punch their ticket to nationals at the NCAA Central Region Championships on Saturday, Feb. 25 in Dubuque. Nationals will take place March 10-11 in La Crosse, Wis.
Access the full schedule at simpsonathletics.com.
