Navy Downs Army In Wrestling

Phillip Simpson Improves to 20-1 on the Season

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Phillip Simpson earned a major decision triumph at 149 pounds, but it was not enough as Army’s 23rd-ranked wrestling team dropped a 23-10 verdict to 21st-ranked Navy in a “Star Match “Sunday afternoon in front of 1,802 spectators at West Point’s Christl Arena. The Black Knights, who lost consecutive matches for the first time this season, drop to 11-5, while the Midshipmen improve to 12-3.

Simpson, wrestling for the last time at Christl Arena, secured a 7-1 advantage after the first period and never looked back, as the Nashville, Tenn., native scored a 12-1 major decision win over 20th-ranked John Cox at 149 pounds. Simpson (20-1) reached the 20-win plateau for the fourth straight season. He upped his dual match record to 11-0 and is now 4-1 versus ranked opponents this year.

“There are so many memories here at Christl Arena, “said Simpson “It’s hard to imagine it has gone by so fast; I have come so far since my plebe year. This team has been such a brotherhood. “

The match began at 174 pounds and Gabriel Lucero quickly gave Army an early 3-0 advantage as the junior scored a hard-fought 14-11 decision over Matt Stolpinski. Lucero jumped out to a 9-2 lead after the first period and hung on for the victory. The Las Vegas, N.M., native improved his record to 12-9 on the season.

Navy responded by winning the next six bouts and took a commanding 20-3 cushion into the 149-pound match.

Senior Joe Forsman gave a valiant effort in his final match at Christl Arena as the Sandpoint, Idaho, native dropped a 7-2 decision to 12th-ranked Tanner Garrett in the heavyweight bout. The match was tied at 1-1 going into the third and final period, before Garrett pulled away.

Junior Patrick Simpson dropped a heart-breaking 7-6 overtime decision to No. 18 Nate Gulosh in the 141-pound bout. Simpson trailed for the entire third period before forging a 6-6 tie with just three seconds remaining in the final stanza. Gulosh earned the winning point on an escape to open the second 30-second overtime session and Simpson was unable to score the equalizer.

Chad Marzec rounded out Army’s list of winners on the day as the junior produced a 3-1 overtime decision over Craig Dziewiatkowski at 165 pounds. The bout was tied at 1-1 after regulation before Marzec came up with a take down in the sudden victory period.

Army honored Forsman, Phillip Simpson, Tye Reedy, Doug Reynolds and T.J. Tepley in a “Senior Day “tribute prior to the match.

Army returns to action on Thursday, Feb. 24, when the Black Knights travel to Piscataway, N.J., to take on Rutgers in their season finale at 7 p.m.

125: Alex Usztics (N) dec. Travis Featherstone , 11-4
133: Sam Gray (N) maj. dec. Tony Severo , 12-1
141: Nate Gulosh (N) dec. Patrick Simpson , 7-6 (OT)
149: Phillip Simpson (A) maj. dec. John Cox, 12-1
157: Pat Lukanich (L) dec. Jon Anderson , 7-5
165: Chad Marzec (A) dec. Craig Dziewiatkowski, 3-1 (OT)
*174: Gabriel Lucero (A) dec. Matt Stolpinski, 14-11
184: Jon Kane (N) maj. dec. Charles Martin , 13-3
197: Thayer Paxton (L) dec. Todd Wisman , 7-2
HWT: Tanner Garrett (L) dec. Joe Forsman , 7-2

* The match started at 174 pounds