The Rams (1-0) set the tone with four decisive wins to start the dual in building a 20-0 lead. Cornell took six of the 10 contested bouts, earning bonus points in four of them.
Senior 125-pounder Scott Smith (SR/Chicago, Ill.) triggered the strong start with a 25-6 technical fall in the opening match. Phillip Opelt (JR/Neillsville, Wis.) recorded a quick pin in 1:52 over Cannon Trester at 133, and then Josh Martin (SO/Lombard, Ill.) scored a 10-4 decision over Zach Johnston at 141 to give the Rams a 14-0 cushion.
In the marquee match of the night, Cornell's third-ranked 149-pounder Trevor Engle (SR/Kansas City, Mo.) earned a third-period fall in 6:11 over Jonathan Melton that put the guests up by 20. It was a rematch of last year's regional third-place bout, won by Engle in sudden victory.
Simpson (0-1) took three of the next four matches to cut the margin to 23-15. Ram newcomer Kaleb Winebarger (FR/Bend, Ore.) dropped a 15-11 decision at 157, and Aaron Engle (JR/Kansas City, Mo.) lost by a first-period fall to Simpson's Shane Swank at 165.
Cornell 174-pounder Ben Hewson (FR/Loveland, Colo.) won 9-4 in his collegiate debut over Spencer Ward. The Storm answered at 184 with a first-period pin by Brett Roberts over freshman Jarod Cadena (FR/Fairfax, Iowa).
Senior Aburough Abegesah (SR/Beltsville, Md.) sealed the meet for the Rams at 197. He turned in a 16-8 major decision over DeVaughn Scott.
Simpson claimed a tight win at heavyweight to finish the dual. Colby Vlieger edged Cornell's Eric Tucker (SR/Monroe, Conn.), 4-2.
Coming up: The Rams compete at the Luther Open Saturday in Decorah. Action begins at 9 a.m.
Results:
125: Scott Smith (Cor) tech fall Deven Acevedo, 25-6
133: Phillip Opelt (Cor) pinned Cannon Trester, 1:52
141: Josh Martin (Cor) dec. Zach Johnston, 10-4
149: #3 Trevor Engle (Cor) pinned Jonathan Melton, 6:11
157: Jake Mize (Sim) dec. Kaleb Winebarger, 15-11
165: Shane Swank (Sim) pinned Aaron Engle, 1:16
174: Ben Hewson (Cor) dec. Spencer Ward, 9-4
184: Brett Roberts (Sim) pinned Jarod Cadena, 1:20
197: Aburough Abegesah (Cor) maj. dec. DeVaughn Scott, 16-8
285: Colby Vlieger (Sim) dec. Eric Tucker, 4-2
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