The Simpson wrestling team went 2-2 at the Midwest Duals over the weekend hosted by Nebraska-Kearney.

The Storm (3-7) ended the day with wins and pins over Doane (39-12) and Hastings (30-21). Simpson went to battle and lost against second-ranked team in Division III, UW-Whitewater (44-6) and had a tough finish against Northeast Oklahoma A&M (51-6).  

“We had a really good showing across the board today,” head coach Nate Hansen said. “Our ten pins show we have some firepower and can win dual meets.”

Freshman Jacob Mize attained three of those ten pins and went 3-1 on Saturday. Sophomore Brett Roberts (174) went 2-1, and senior Taylor Witzel (184) and freshman Colby Vlieger (285) both went 2-2.  

The Storm recorded five pins against the Doane dual. Sam Reichenbacker (133), Jeff Sand (141), Derek Entz (149), Mize, and Roberts lead the matches with pins.

Simpson added 12 forfeit points from Hastings and went 4-4 in the other matches.

“If everyone stays consistent through the next month and a half, we’ll finish our Iowa Conference schedule strong and see improvement against the toughest conference in the nation,” Hansen said.

The team returns to conference action traveling to Storm Lake to wrestle Buena Vista on Tuesday Jan. 21. The following Saturday the Storm will travel to Dubuque to face Loras, Luther and Coe in the IIAC duals.