Brus Leads Five Placewinners at Knox

GALESBURG, Ill. – Senior Caleb Brus led a group of five placewinners for Simpson, winning the tournament winning the tournament at 141 pounds as the Simpson wrestling team competed at the 2009 Knox Invitational Saturday. No team scores were kept in the 16-team tournament which included Iowa Conference foes Central and Luther.

Brus defeated Josh Atwell of Central in the 141-pound championship, winning the first tournament of his collegiate career.

"I was very impressed with Caleb, who is one of the best leaders in our program," head coach Clint Manny said. "He had his best performance since putting on a Simpson singlet in winning his first collegiate tournament."

Calvin Barber took third place at 157 pounds, Wade Dowling placed fourth at 149 pounds, Sam Collora took fifth at 285 and Cory Stratton finished fifth at 149 pounds to round out Simpson's placewinners.

Manny sent four freshmen to the mat for their collegiate debuts and was happy with what he saw out of the newcomers.

"I was very pleased with our young group of guys," Manny said. "They really stepped up to the plate and fought in every match. Their performance was a good sign of the direction we want this program to go. Each kid battled in their matches and I'm very proud of their effort."

One of the newcomers, Stratton went 5-2 at 149 pounds, with one of the losses being a forfeit against Dowling.

Simpson will host the first dual of the young season Tuesday when Cornell comes to Hopper Gymnasium at 7 p.m.

"I really hope we can carry the same intensity we showed today into our dual against Cornell Tuesday," Manny said. "Our mission this year is to always focus on the next match and we have to get ready for Cornell coming to our place."