By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team opened the MIAA season with a 28-12 win dual victory against Central Missouri Wednesday evening (Jan. 15). The Tigers move to 3-2 on the season and 1-0 in conference action, while the Mules dip to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in MIAA competition. It was the 12th-straight time the Tigers have defeated the Mules in dual competition.
After both teams left the 125-pound class open, the Tigers took an early lead when Mason Turner came away with a major decision against John Feeney, 18-10. Central Missouri tied things up at 4-4 with a major decision at 141 pounds before Anthony Scantlin put the Tigers in front for good. The sophomore picked up a first-period pin against Emmett Kuntz, his sixth pin of the season.
The Mules closed within 10-8 with another major decision at 157 pounds before the Tigers rattled off three-straight wins to secure the win. Conrad Vajnar edged out a slim 10-9 win over John Ridle at 165 pounds, followed by a 13-1 major decision for Marty Verhaeghe over Jack Goin at 174 pounds. Aryus Jones wrapped up the run with his team-best fourth tech fall of the season, dominating Dominique Hampton, 18-2.
Central Missouri bounced back with a major decision at 197 pounds before A.J. Cooper wrapped up the night with a pin just 34 seconds in against Chase Miller.
The Tigers return to the mat Sunday when they travel to Wichita, Kan. for the Reece Wright-Conklin Jet Invitational, hosted by Newman University. Action is set to commence at 9 a.m. inside Fugate Gymnasium.
Fort Hays State 28, Central Missouri 12
125 | Open (FHSU) Open (UCM) | Tied 0-0
133 | Mason Turner (FHSU) over John Feeney (UCM) | Maj. 18-10 | FHSU 4-0
141 | Conner Dalton (UCM) over Dy’Juan Carney (FHSU) | Maj. 13-3 | Tied 4-4
149 | Anthony Scantlin (FHSU) over Emmett Kuntz (UCM) | Fall 2:23 | FHSU 10-4
157 | Austin Morgan (UCM) over Josh Lenker (FHSU) | Maj. 10-2 | FHSU 10-8
165 | Conrad Vajnar (FHSU) over John Ridle (UCM) | Dec. 10-9 | FHSU 13-8
174 | Marty Verhaeghe (FHSU) over Jack Goin (UCM) | Maj. 13-1 | FHSU 17-8
184 | Aryus Jones (FHSU) over Dominique Hampton (UCM) | TF 18-2 | FHSU 22-8
197 | Zachary Hazen (UCM) over Matt Hook (FHSU) | Maj. 11-0 | FHSU 22-12
285 | A.J. Cooper (FHSU) over Chase Miller (UCM) | Fall 0:34 | FHSU 28-12