Wrestling: Cornell Beaten By Augustana, 27-20

By K.J. Pilcher, Reporter

Cornell's Ben Rosen (top) struggles against Augustana's Jacob Scholten in their 125-pound bout at Cornell's Multi-Sport Center on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, in Mount Vernon. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Grant Burkhardt

Story Created: Dec 13, 2012 at 3:26 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 13, 2012 at 3:26 PM CDT

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - It wasn't the way Cornell Coach Mike Duroe wanted to move into a break.

The Rams will have 17 days to wade in the disappointment of their latest competition.

Augustana (Ill.) won six of 10 matches, scoring scored bonus points in five, for a 27-20 win over 13th-ranked Cornell in a Midwest Conference dual Wednesday at Small Multi-Sport Center.

"We're at a pretty low point right now," Duroe said. "That's a tough way to have to go out over the break of competition.

"We just have to get better, individually and as a team."

The 19th-ranked Vikings (3-2) trailed once in the team score, posting two pins and three major decisions. Third-ranked Jacob Scholten opened with a major decision at 125 for Augustana, and 157-pounder Kevin Sundberg recorded the first pin, giving the Vikings a 13-9 lead they didn't surrender.

"We gave up a lot of bonus points and we didn't get many," Duroe said. "That's kind of the difference in the team score."

Duroe said the Rams (5-2) wrestled uninspired, despite following a ceremony honoring past and present military personnel and their families.

"I think our guys, for whatever reason, were unprepared for that kind of a fight," Duroe said. "It's on everybody - the coaching staff, athletes, training partners. We have to continue to get better as a program. The only way that is going to happen is if everybody buys into the system."

The Vikings owned a decisive 16-3 advantage in nearfall points and a 4-0 edge in riding time. Duroe praised the way the Vikings competed.

"They attacked on top," Duroe said. "It worked well for them."

Trevor Engle (149) and fourth-ranked 197-pounder Alex Coolidge were two highlights for the Rams. Engle won by fall, while Coolidge added a technical fall. Coolidge (14-2) had the Rams only nearfall points and nine of the team's 17 takedowns in his 22-7 technical fall over Jake Melik.

Engle improved to 12-3. Duroe has been pleased with his start.

"He wrestles with a lot of intensity and energy," Duroe said. "Even though he got a slow start, he's very skilled on his feet. He scored two or three takedowns before he caught the guy on his back. He continues to get better."

Cornell returns to action Dec. 29 for the Citrus Invite at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Next Article Coaching Styles: Part One

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