Rams meet conference foes Central, Buena Vista in weekend homestand Feb. 26-27

Cornell captured its first wins of the spring by sweeping an Iowa Conference double dual Friday night in Waverly.

The Rams rolled to an 8-1 victory over Loras, and then upended host Wartburg in the nightcap, 6-3. The wins moved Cornell's season record to 4-5 overall, 2-1 in IIAC play.

Sophomore Garrett Russikoff (Stevenson Ranch, Calif./Hart), junior Neal Klauer (Fridley, Minn./Fridley) and freshman Samuel O'Donnell (Cedar Rapids/Washington) all earned perfect 4-0 marks for the Rams, who climbed to third place in the conference standings. Cornell won five of the six contested doubles matches on the day, the lone setback a 9-8 battle at No. 1 against Wartburg.

Russikoff at No. 2, O'Donnell at No. 4, and Orion Wilkinson (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) at No. 6 each recorded 6-0, 6-0 shutouts in their respective singles bouts against Loras (0-6, 0-2 IIAC). O'Donnell also did not surrender a game in an 8-0 rout at No. 3 doubles with freshman partner Joseph Reyes (Newhall, Calif./Hart).

The Rams swept all three doubles matches from the Duhawks. Justin Bradfield (Fairfield/Fairfield) and Wilkinson won 8-2 at No. 1, and Russikoff and Klauer took an 8-3 decision at No. 2.

Cornell held a 2-1 lead in their dual with Wartburg (2-4, 1-1 IIAC) after dominant doubles wins from Russikoff/Klauer (8-1) and O'Donnell/Reyes (8-3). The Rams sealed the team victory with four singles wins. Russikoff, Klauer, O'Donnell and Wilkinson all picked off their opponents in straight sets.

Coming up – Saturday, Feb. 26, vs. Central College (3-6, 0-2 IIAC), Mount Vernon, 9 a.m.; Sunday, Feb. 27, vs. Buena Vista University (1-3, 0-1 IIAC), Mount Vernon, 1 p.m.; Saturday, March 12, at Grinnell, vs. Grinnell College, 1 p.m., vs. St. Norbert College, 4:30 p.m.

Cornell match results

Cornell 8, Loras 1 (Feb. 18, at Waverly)

Cornell 6, Wartburg 3 (Feb. 18, at Waverly)