Storm battle but fall short to No. 5 Cornell

 Postmatch Interview - Head Coach Clint Manny 
 Courier beats Snider
 Sand beats Feliz
 Bruce beats Hamm

INDIANOLA, Iowa - The Simpson wrestling team is closing the gap.

Simpson won four matches against fifth-ranked Cornell, but the Rams got pins at the final two weights, holding off a feisty Storm squad 28-16 at Cowles Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.

Alex Coolidge won by fall at 197 pounds and Wyatt Buaman did the same at 285 as the Rams (1-0, 1-0 Iowa Conference) opened up what was a 16-16 dual.

"The gap between the team we were last year and [having] what it takes to be a top-10 team in the country is not that great if we fight every single time we are out there," said fourth-year head coach Clint Manny, whose team lost to Cornell 42-0 in last year's opener.

Sophomore Spencer Courier picked up Simpson's signature win of the night when he notched an 8-3 win over Tigue Snider at 133 pounds. A 2011 national qualifier, Snider entered the match ranked No. 10 in the nation by d3wrestle.com.

"Spencer and I have had that match marked on our calendar since he came here [at semester] last year," Manny said. "Spencer Courier is no secret in the Iowa Conference anymore. He got our dual started off on the right foot."

Junior Jeff Sand continued the early momentum with a 14-5 major decision over Ray Feliz at 141 pounds.

At 149 pounds, junior Cory Stratton brought the crowd to its feet when he pinned Zach Wilson in 4:50. Having competed at a number of weights his previous two seasons, Manny believes his team captain has found a home at 149.

"Cory was a 165-pounder last year and filled in spots for us for the last two years," Manny said. "Now he has made the sacrifice to get to 149 and call that his weight. For him to get rewarded in that way makes a statement means a lot to the whole team."

Sophomore Justin Bruce picked up Simpson's fourth win, scoring an 11-5 decision over Brent Hamm at 174 pounds to give Simpson a 16-13 lead.

Cornell 184-pounder Andrew Roberts tied the match at 16 with a 6-1 decision over Taylor Witzell.

"Every one of our guys who stepped on the mat gave their best effort," Manny said. "To be able to walk out of the gym knowing you left it on the mat, that's all I've ever asked our guys to do."

The Storm return to action this weekend when they travel to Cedar Rapids for the Coe Invitational on Saturday, Nov. 19.