Central dominates Simpson

INDIANOLA -- It took just 43 minutes for the No. 17 Central College men's wrestling team to defeat Simpson College 43-9 on the road Thursday night.

The Dutch registered six bonus point victories against the Storm including big wins by Cael Cox (junior, Ankeny) and Jason Hermann (junior, Stockton, Ill.) that drew the praise of coach Eric Van Kley. Cox had a 15-0 technical fall at 149 pounds and Hermann recorded a pin at the 3:47 mark at 165 pounds.

"Cael and Jason really stepped up tonight," Van Kley said. "They have been working on their offense and got to it tonight. We continually talk about attacking and bonus points and they showed it."

Brock Beck (senior, 133 pounds, Grinnell) made his return to the lineup after being out of commission for the last few weeks. He registered a 19-3 technical fall victory.

"It's great to him have back in the lineup," Van Kley said. "He's a sparkplug for us. He's a captain and brings a ton of experience and leadership."

Samuel West (sophomore, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) also had a fall at 184 pounds, needing just 2:21 to get the six points. Pierre Baldwin (sophomore, Carol Stream, Ill., West Chicago HS) was a winner by 17-1 technical fall and Gage Linahon (senior, 197 pounds, Newton) triumphed 16-4 in a major decision.

Colin Suyko (senior, Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove HS) and Colby Tool (junior, Reasnor, PCM HS) rounded out the scoring with forfeits at 125 and 157 pounds, respectively.

Central finishes the dual season with a record of 12-4 and 4-4 in the American Rivers Conference.

"This is as challenging of a schedule as we've had in a long time," Van Kley said. "The league is as challenging as it has been in a long time with five teams ranked. We finished the dual season on a positive note with a solid effort."

Central hosts the Last Chance Invitational at 5 p.m. Friday night inside H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse.