Simpson College wrestling coaches Nate Hansen and Joe Skow competed in the Corn Cob Nationals wrestling tournament over spring break. Both coaches wrestled in the open division, or “old folks” division as Hansen put it, on March 15.

Skow placed 4th in the 215 lb. weight class. He went 4-2, winning 3 matches by pin. He had been training, he said, “I actually lost 16 pounds that week to wrestle 215, so it was a busy week.” While cutting weight makes some wrestlers feel tired and weaker, Skow said he felt on his game and quick. Skow said he can beat Hansen, but he is much bigger so they would “never do battle.”

Hansen, a former Division III national champion, placed 3rd in the 145 lb. weight class. He trained for the tournament by sparring with his wrestlers. While the “old folks” division is 19 years old and older, none of the Simpson wrestlers competed.

“The Corn Cob Nationals is a national wrestling tournament for youth (14 and younger), high school (15-18) and old folks (19 and older).” Hansen said. A couple of Simpson alumni did compete in the tournament alongside Hansen and Skow. One wrestled Skow twice and split with him, the other got second in his class.

The tournament was limited to 1800 wrestlers and was held in the Jacobson Center on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. After the March 8 entry deadline, wrestlers could not change weight classes. Head gear was required in the youth and high school divisions, but was optional in the open division.

This year, Simpson was well represented at the Corn Cob Nationals, and Hansen said there is a possibility of him competing again next year.