Junior Tony Hager became the starter a year ago and charted a 9-25 record and two pins. Of his 25 losses, eight were to national ranked wrestlers at either NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, or Division III. Hager finished seventh at the IIAC Championships.
Hager is expected to be pushed by freshman Matt Koch. Koch finished fifth at the state meet as a senior for Indianola High School. A two-time conference champion, Koch won a district title as a senior. He ended his career with a 129-33 record.
"Tony looks to improve upon a tough sophomore season," said Simpson head coach Ron Peterson. "He will be pushed hard by Matt for the varsity job."
133:
Senior Dustin Brewer is expected to be the starter at 133. He will attempt to earn All-American honors for the third year in a row and at \ e on the national level," said Peterson. "He has beaten some of the better kids in the country. The key for Cole is to stay healthy."
149:
Sophomore Geoff Murtha and freshman Ben Hektoen will battle it out to replace three-time All-American Clint Manny at 149. Murtha won the 149 pound Iowa Conference JV Tournament title last season. He went 8-6 with one pin in limited action a year ago. Hektoen is the only four-time state qualifier in Fairfield High School history. Hektoen placed third in the state meet as a junior, seventh as a senior, and eighth as a sophomore. A three-time conference and two-time district champion, he finished career with 111 wins.
"Both Geoff and Ben will battle it out throughout season," Peterson said. "We need one of them to step up and take control."
157:
Junior Kellen Delaney registered a 27-12 mark with seven pins after moving up from 141. He won the 157-pound title at the Citrus Open and was second at the Simpson Invitational at 157. Delaney finished fifth at the IIAC Championships at 157.
"Kellen had an outstanding sophomore season, we feel that he should be an All-American this year. He has beaten some of the top kids in the country.
165:
Three wrestlers; senior Bryan Llewellyn, junior Tom Koch, and freshman John Richman will vie for the starting position. Llewellyn transferred to Simpson from IIAC rival Central and went 6-9 in limited varsity action. He was third at the Iowa Conference JV Tournament at 165. Koch moves up from 157 where he won the Iowa Conference JV Tournament title. He charted a 19-11 record for the year. Richman graduated from Des Moines Roosevelt High School where he qualified for the state meet as a senior. Richman won the a district and conference championship as a senior.
"Its going to be a dogfight at 165 for us. Bryan has proven to be competitive when he is healthy. Tom had a solid sophomore year and we look for him to be a factor. John comes from a great high school program and we hope he can add to our program."
174:
Senior Cody Downing moves down from 184 to start at this weight. Downing led the Storm with 15 pins a year ago. He posted a 28-16 record and was fifth at the Iowa Conference Championships. He earned top five placings at three in season tournament last season.
"Cody is one of our two captains," Peterson commented. "He's been on the verge of the making the national tournament and we expect him to make a run for nationals this season."
184:
A trio comprised of three freshmen; Matt Jorgenson, Sean Miller, and Robert Zube will vie for the starter's position. Jorgenson was a three-time state meet qualifier for Pocahontas High School. He finished fourth at the state tournament as a senior and fifth as a junior. Miller won the 189 pound Missouri state wrestling championship as a senior for Park Hill High School. He finished fourth at the state meet as a junior at 189. Zube was named honorable mention All-Conference as a junior and senior for Viroqua (Wis.) High School.
"This weight is going to be one that we look for someone to step up. Sean has performed very well in camp. He is going to be pushed by both Matt and Robert.
197:
Sophomore Chris Downing should serve as the starter. The younger brother of Simpson's Cody Downing, Chris Downing transfers to Simpson from NAIA Morningside. He was finished third at the state tournament for Creston High School after going 49-6 with a school record 34 pins. He ended his career with 100 wins.
"We are excited to have Chris in our program," said Peterson. "197 was our weakest weight class a year ago and Chris provides us with a solid starter who has a year of college experience under his belt."
Hwt:
Senior Brett Christensen earned All-American honors (sixth) for the first time as a junior. A three-time national tournament qualifier, Christensen charted a 29-15 mark with 10 pins. The 2005 Iowa Conference runner-up, seven of Christensen's losses were to opponents ranked in the Division III top eight.
"Brett is our other senior captain," Peterson said. "He has been a great leader for us in the preseason. We believe that he can be in the top five in the nation this season."
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