Simpson returns to Lisbon lineup

Lisbon senior Tait Simpson returned to the Lions wrestling lineup Tuesday night and recorded a 7-0 victory over Belle Plaine's Chad Olson at 160 pounds in a traingular meet at English Valleys High School in North English. Belle Plaine won the dual, 39-36.

According to the National Wrestling Coaches Association stat tracker site, the two-time state medalist improved to 17-0 with the win in his first match since Dec. 17. On Jan. 5, Lisbon Coach Jamie Kamberling said Simpson was one of four starters who were not practicing with the team at the time. Simpson, who has placed fifth at state in Class 1A the last two seasons, was ranked second at 152 by The Predicament, but was absent from the last two installments of the 1A ratings.

The Lions faced controversy in mid-December, resulting from what Lisbon Community School District Superintendent Brad Laures said was a “student behavior issue.” The Lions withdrew from duals at Delhi and suspended practice during an investigation into the student behavior issue. According to published reports the father of the alleged victim, who was a wrestler, said his son was the victim of an assault and bullying from upperclass teammates.