Courier takes fourth to lead Simpson wrestlers at Central Invite

PELLA, Iowa - Spencer Courier earned a fourth-place finish at 141 pounds to lead the Simpson wrestlers at the Central Invitational on Saturday. No team scores were kept.

Courier went 3-2 on the day, advancing to the consolation championship where he lost to Central's Tyler Peretti, 5-3. He started the tournament with a pair of wins, moving to the championship semifinals before falling victim to a pin by eventual runner-up, Ryan Timmerman of St. Olaf. He went on to post a 5-3 win over Augsburg's Alex Johnson in the consolation semifinals.

Taylor Witzel and Jared Bevins made it to the consolation semifinals at 184 and 197 pounds, respectively. Witzel went 3-2, posting a 10-1 major over a St. Olaf's Mark Shepard and a 3-2 decision over Augustana's Matt Regnier to make the consolation semis, where he fell 10-2 against Kyle Soderblom of William Penn. Bevins finished with two wins on the day, beating Augustana's Steven Monaco 14-4 and Morningside's Jake Parker 6-3.

"Taylor had a good day following a great week of practice," head coach Clint Manny said. "He has improved tremendously throughout the season."

Greg Harlow had a good day at 165 pounds, going 4-2. After a loss in the second round, he posted three-consecutive 2-point decisions before bowing out of the tournament in the consolation semifinals.

"We need to be ready to work hard on Monday so we're ready for the Loras dual and a tough tournament in Wisconson in the week ahead," Manny said. "I'm looking forward to getting our full lineup healthy so we can put our best ten guys on the mat in the duals ahead."

The Storm return to conference dual action on Wednesday, Jan. 18 when they travel to Loras for a 7 p.m. start. Simpson will then take part in the UW-Whitewater duals on Saturday, Jan. 21.