Lehigh Upends Army In Wrestling
Phillip Simpson Improves to 19-1 on the Season
Feb. 11, 2005
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Phillip Simpson earned a major decision over his opponent at 149 pounds, but it was not enough as Army’s 24th-ranked wrestling team fell to fifth-ranked Lehigh, 32-7, Friday evening in an EIWA conference clash at the Leeman-Turner Arena at Grace Hall. The Black Knights, who had their modest three-match winning streak snapped, drop to 11-4 on the season. The Mountain Hawks improve to 20-3.
The match began at 149 pounds and Simpson quickly gave Army an early 4-0 cushion as the senior scored a workmanlike 16-2 major decision verdict versus Dave Nakasone.
“Phillip [Simpson] gave us a good start, but we just couldn’t capitalize on it, “remarked Army head coach Chuck Barbee.
Simpson improved his record to 19-1 on the season. The Nashville, Tenn., product, who sports a gaudy 124-18 all-time mark, is now just two wins shy of tying Brad Fenske’s career wins record.
Army dropped the next three bouts before junior Charles Martin notched a 3-1 decision opposite Dave Helfrich in the 184-pound encounter. Martin, who has been filling in admirably for the injured Luke Calvert, upped his overall record to 18-7 on the season.
“[Charles] Martin has been wrestling well in place of Calvert and he had a big win for us, too, “added Barbee.
Elsewhere, junior Patrick Simpson hung tough with third-ranked Cory Cooperman in the 141-pound bout before dropping an 11-5 decision. Fellow junior Tony Severo was nipped, 6-3, at 133 pounds.
“We had some close matches, but we have to regroup now and get ready for the big Navy match next weekend.”
Army returns to action on Sunday, Feb. 20, when the Black Knights welcome Navy to Christl Arena for a 4 p.m. dual match.
125: Andrew Rizzi (L) dec. Travis Featherstone , 11-7
133: Jeff Santo (L) dec. Tony Severo , 6-3
141: Cory Cooperman (L) dec. Patrick Simpson , 11-5
149: Phillip Simpson (A) maj. dec. Dave Nakasone, 16-2
157: Derek Zinck (L) maj. dec. Brandon Benson , 17-4
165: Troy Letters (L) tech. fall Chad Marzec , 19-3, 5:39
174: Travis Frick (L) maj. dec. Scott Ferguson , 18-6
184: Charles Martin (A) dec. Dave Helfrich, 3-1
197: Jon Trenge (L) maj. dec. Todd Wisman , 16-4
HWT: Paul Weibel (L) pinned Joe Forsman , 4:06
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