INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson fell behind 18-0 after the first three weights, suffering from a lacking lineup due to some overweight wrestlers as the Storm (2-6, 0-2 IIAC) lost 25-15 to Dubuque (6-4, 1-0 IIAC) in the Storm’s final home match of the season.

“My overall feelings are positive,” assistant coach Joe Skow said. “We didn’t have our ideal lineup…I believe the final score last year was 36-3 [against Dubuque] so we are improving and moving in the right direction.”

FINAL – Dubuque 25, Simpson 15

Match-by-Match Results

125 Julio Chavez (DBQ) pins Chase Erickson (6-0 Dubuque)

133 Stephen Rosenburg (DBQ) pins Deven Acevedo (12-0)

141 Jeremy Melendez (DBQ) pins Zach Johnston (18-0)

149 Devan Berrian (SIM) dec. Donovan Lucket (18-3)

157 Jason Clark (SIM) dec. Kody Krenz (18-6)

165 Garret Jay (SIM) dec. Frank Frassetto (18-9)

174 Elton Turnage-Manuel (DBQ) maj. dec. Spencer Ward (22-9)

184 #8 Brett Roberts (SIM) dec. Collin Heidemann (22-12)

197 DeVaughn Scott (SIM) dec. Cosmo Halwix (22-15)

285 Sawyer McCaffrey (DBQ) dec. Colby Vlieger (25-15)

Devan Berrian, who typically wrestles at 133, had to bump up two weight classes after coming off winter break above his typical weight. While he provided Simpson’s first points with a 9-8 win, Simpson couldn’t cover up at other weights.

“Guys didn’t manage their weight well over Christmas break, that is about as simple as it is,” Skow said. “They took themselves out of the lineup, so that’s what happened.”

Jason Clark then won 5-2 and freshman Garrett Jay won 9-3 at 165, bringing Simpson within 18-9.

Two wrestlers later, nationally ranked No. 8 Brett Roberts won 7-2, bringing Simpson to a 22-12 deficit with two weights left, requiring that Simpson get at least one pin and or another tech fall in order to win.

DeVaughn Scott won at 197, grinding out a dramatic 9-8 come behind win but a decision wouldn’t be enough for a team victory.

Dubuque put an exclamation point on the night as Sawyer McCaffery stole the match at 295, winning 3-2 over Colby Vlieger after trailing 2-1 with less than five seconds remaining.

Four seniors were honored on Tuesday, although only two wrestled in Spencer Ward and Roberts. Sam Reichenbacker and Bryce Wignall did not wrestle in their final home match of their careers.

The Storm go to Pella on Saturday for the Central Invitational, beginning at 9 a.m.