MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's men's wrestling team was all business on Senior Night, winning nine matches in a 40-3 rout of Augustana in Tuesday's home finale at the Small Athletic and Wellness Center.
 
Coach Brent Hamm's Rams (6-10) posted the largest margin of victory over Augustana (14-6) in the series dating back to 1983.
 
Cornell scored bonus points in six matches, five of which were terminated early by pin or technical fall. The Rams piled up 27 near-fall points and owned a decisive 21-3 advantage in takedowns.   
 
The Rams dominated from the opening whistle, starting with sophomore Jase Van Pelt's 17-1 technical fall at 125 pounds. Cornell received back-to-back pins from 133-pounder Eli Sneed (1:08) and 141-pounder AJ Parrish (6:45), followed by a 19-3 first-period technical fall from junior Landon Card at 149.
 
Card (19-7) registered four takedowns and seven near-fall points before retiring his opponent in 2:12,  giving the Rams a commanding 22-0 lead.
 
At 157, Cornell's 15th-ranked Gabriel Smith (22-7) used a third-period reversal to secure a 6-3 decision over Kameron Hanel. Sophomore Scotty Scheidecker tallied seven early points in his 8-2 win at 165, avenging a loss a month ago to Jack Patting.  
 
Freshman 174-pounder Brian Petry recorded five takedowns in a 19-3 technical fall that ended only a few seconds into the second period. At 184, 14th-ranked Cael McLaren (17-8) earned a 14-4 major decision.
 
Cornell's lone senior starter, 13th-ranked Treyten Steffen (21-6), went out an 8-2 winner over Jacob Badger for his 72nd career victory.
 
Sophomore heavyweight Jackson Brinker (23-11) wrestled tough with Augustana's Josh Woodrey in a 7-3 loss to finish the night.
 
Prior to the dual, men's wrestlers Drew Deer, Nick DeMunno, Callum McAllister, Steffen, manager Tori Stien and women's wrestler Kara Rivard were seniors recognized for their contributions to Cornell's program.
 
Coming up – The Rams compete at the Lower Midwest Region Championships Feb. 29-March 1 in Cedar Rapids.