Cornell’s Hamm honors brother with win on Military Appreciation Night

MOUNT VERNON - Two years ago, Cornell College wrestler Brent Hamm experienced one of those unforgettable surprise reunions with an active-duty family member during Military Appreciation Night before a home wrestling dual.

Now a senior, Hamm has his big brother Andy home for good to cheer him on in pursuit of a national championship.

'He's one of the biggest fans of not only wrestling, but me,” Brent Hamm said after No. 12 Cornell overcame a sluggish performance to oust Simpson, 26-12, Tuesday night at the Small Multi-Sport Center. 'So it's nice to have him here for my senior year.”

Andy Hamm, 25, returned from Cuba just two weeks ago after completion of service as a United States Army Reserve Specialist. He was one of a group of active-duty personnel and veterans honored to a standing ovation before the dual. His return and valued presence in the cheering section provides the younger Hamm not only motivation, but inspiration.

'We're in here working hard every day,” said Brent Hamm, a returning NCAA tournament qualifier. 'Then when you think big picture, the work we're doing is nothing compared to what they're doing. It's nice to have him back. I can kind of relax and just do my thing.”

After Simpson pulled within 15-9 with three-straight decisions, the former Iowa City High prep and 10th-ranked Division III wrestler at 174 got the Rams (5-5) back on track with a 5-2 decision over Simpson's Brett Roberts.

'He's one of the leaders of our team,” Cornell Coach Mike Duroe said. 'How he goes, is kind of how the team goes. He was tired, but he was able to go out and perform.”

After a Simpson forfeit at 125, Cornell sophomore Phillip Opelt opened the dual with a fall in 3:27 over Simpson's Devan Berrian. A 22-6 technical fall for 197-pounder Aburough Abegash and a 3-1 decision off a late takedown by heavyweight Eric Tucker sealed Cornell's 11th-consecutive win over the Storm (2-3). Tucker hasn't lost since getting pinned by two-time All American Iowa heavyweight Bobby Telford at the Iowa City Duals Nov. 21.

'He's starting to really gain some confidence,” Duroe said. 'That's huge in this sport. He scored a takedown in the match against Luther to win, scored a takedown in the last 30 seconds to win here, scored a takedown in overtime up at Wartburg. He can wrestle and he can score when he's tired at the end of the match.”

Seventh-ranked Trevor Engle did not wrestle for Cornell at 149 pounds because of tightness in his hamstring. Cornell doesn't compete again until the Citrus Invitational in Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dec. 29-30.

At Small Multi-Sport Center

#12 Cornell 26, Simpson 12

Individual results

125 – Scott Smith (Cor) won by forfeit. 133 – #5 Phillip Opelt (Cor) pinned Devan Berrian, 3:27. 141 – Nathan Shank (Cor) dec. Dalton Kenig, 8-5. 149 – Jonathan Melton (Sim) dec. Josh Martin, 6-5. 157 – Jake Mize (Sim) dec. Aaron Engle, 7-5 SV-1. 165 – Brian Haynes (Sim) dec. Michael Maksimovic, 3-1. 174 – #10 Brent Hamm (Cor) dec. Brett Roberts, 5-2. 184 – Spencer Ward (Sim) dec. James Garrett, 7-4. 197 – Aburough Abegesah (Cor) tech fall Ethan Calvert, 22-6 (5:22). 285 – Eric Tucker (Cor) dec. Colby Vlieger, 3-1.