Cornell dominates in first win over Coe since 1999

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cornell ripped a monkey from its back.

Then, the Rams took it down a few times, even threw it to its back, and simply whipped it.

For the first time since 1999, Cornell can boast a college wrestling dual victory over rival Coe. The 11th-ranked Rams won eight matches, including the first five, for a decisive 28-7 win over the No. 23 Kohawks Thursday at Eby Fieldhouse.

It was the largest margin of victory for the Rams (8-6) in this series since a 41-7 win in 1994.

'I was happy with our effort,' Cornell Coach Mike Duroe said. 'Our guys wrestled really hard in most positions and in most cases, but we still have some work to do, and I don't think that was representative of Coe's team.

'We had some fortunate things happen in some matches but to our guys' credit they made things happen. Coe is always good and competitive.'

Freshman 157-pounder Nic Jarvis provided a huge punch when it looked like Coe was going to slice into the Rams 7-0 lead after Josh Martin's major decision at 141 and decision by Aaron Engle (149).

Jarvis overcame a 14-4 deficit, getting put on his back twice for six nearfall points. He battled back and used a bigger gas tank to pin Cody Fritz in 5:50.

'The one thing about Nic Jarvis is he never stops wrestling,' Duroe said. 'He wrestles the full seven minutes.

'He has a big motor and he used it to his advantage tonight.'

Fritz handled Jarvis the first two periods, but that is when Jarvis said he felt Fritz begin to break. Jarvis took control with four straight points to start the third, whipping Fritz to his back when he was slow to come up on a release.

'I saw he was kind of reluctant to keep coming at me,' Jarvis said. 'I was looking for that and when I saw it I went for it.'

The Rams extended their lead to 13-0. Cornell's bench and its crowd erupted as Jarvis jumped to his feet to flex.

'It's a big atmosphere with a lot of fans,' Jarvis said. 'It got my adrenaline running high. It's an exciting win.'

Cornell's Ben Hewson followed with a 5-3 victory over All-American Ryan Harrington at 165. The Rams' Michael Maksimovic (174) avenged a loss to seventh-ranked Jake Voss, earning a 10-6 decision.

'That kid beat me earlier this year, so I had a little bit of a fire under my butt,' Maksimovic said. 'I came out and I think I beat him pretty handily, so that was good.'

Maksimovic scored three first-period takedowns and four total. He was aggressive on his feet and that was indicative of the Rams, who held a 19-13 edge in takedowns.

'I know where I'm good at and how I wrestle well,' Maksimovic said. 'I wrestle well when I get in on guys.'

Cornell was in control at the break, receiving wins from Ben Bergen (197), heavyweight Tyler Ortmann and Nathan Shank at 133. The Rams were finally able to exorcise a demon.

'I'm glad it finally happen,' Maksimovic said. 'My senior year, especially. It feels really good to finally beat these guys.'

Coe (10-8) received victories from Taylor Mehmen at 184 and 125-pounder Jan Rosenberg.

Mehmen broke open a match tied after two periods. He scored seven in the final frame, including a reversal, four nearfall and a point for riding time for an 11-4 decision.

Rosenberg tallied more than half of the Kohawks' takedowns. He had seven, including one as time expired, for a 15-7 major decision over Gage Griffin.

Cornell 28, Coe 7

141 pounds — Josh Martin (Corn) major dec. Levi Azinger, 13-3; 149 — Aaron Engle (Corn) dec. Romello Hidalgo-Monjares, 8-2; 157 — Nic Jarvis (Corn) pinned Cody Fritz, 5:50; 165 — Ben Hewson (Corn) dec. Ryan Harrington, 5-3; 174 — Mike Maksimovic (Corn) dec. Jake Voss, 10-6; 184 — Taylor Mehmen (Coe) dec. Brian Cristion, 11-4; 197 — Ben Bergen (Corn) dec. Andrew Holladay, 8-4; Hwt. — Tyler Ortmann (Corn) dec. Garrett Kelson, 8-3; 125 — Jan Rosenberg (Coe) major dec. Gage Griffin, 15-7; 133 — Nathan Shank (Corn) dec. Fletcher Green, 4-1.

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