By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 2020-21 Fort Hays State wrestling team kicked off the season with 10 exciting matches during the annual Black and Gold Scrimmage Wednesday (Nov. 4) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. After trailing for much of the evening, the Gold squad rallied late to capture a 24-20 victory, defeating the Black team for just the second time over the last six seasons.
It had been just 248 short days since the Tigers last hit the mat inside Gross Memorial Coliseum when they wrapped up last season with a strong finish at the NCAA Division II Super Region IV Championships. Five wrestlers that helped the Tigers place fourth in the region, FHSU’s highest finish since 2014, return to the roster this season, including a pair of national qualifiers in Mason Turner and Marty Verhaeghe.
Freshman Tony Caldwell got the evening started for the Gold team with a slim 3-2 decision against LJ Flax. A first period takedown from Caldwell was enough to secure the victory.
Cody Hicks, another new addition to the lineup in 2020-21, helped the Black team storm in front with an 18-2 tech fall at the 4:08 mark in the second period against Jonathan Green. The freshman racked up three takedowns and three four-point nearfalls to wrap up the win.
Cole Zebley put the Gold team back in front momentarily with a 15-8 decision against Rhett Edmonson. Zebley accumulated six takedowns throughout the match and was on his way to a major decision before a late takedown from Edmonson saved the bonus point.
The Black team went back on top just a few minutes later when freshman Matthew Gottschalk pinned Colin Cole at the 2:38 mark in the first period.
Marty Verhaeghe extended the Black team’s lead with another pin in the next match, sticking Clint Herrick to the mat at the 4:43 mark in the second period. Verhaeghe was seconds away from securing a technical fall victory before finishing with the pin.
The run of pins continued when Mason Turner of the Gold squad pinned Broderick Green at the 1:19 mark, narrowing the gap to 17-12.
Tereus Henry came out on top in a back-and-forth battle at 197 pounds, defeating Elias Robles with a 7-6 decision. The pair traded takedowns early before Henry started to rack up riding time. After another takedown in the second period, Robles led 6-4 in the final period before a late takedown from Henry tied the score at 6-6. Robles was unable to escape the grasp of Henry, granting Henry the ride time point and the narrow victory.
The Gold team then began its comeback when A.J. Cooper picked up a first period pin against Tony Caldwell. The senior took control with an early takedown before wrapping things up at the 2:09 mark, helping the Gold squad close within 20-18.
Cole Zebley picked up his second win of the evening when he held on for a 6-4 decision against Josh Lenker, pushing the Gold team back in front. Zebley recorded one takedown in each period to take control. Lenker made things interesting with a late reversal, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.
Anthony Scantlin finished off the evening and the Gold team comeback with a solid 6-0 win over Cody Hicks. Scantlin picked up a pair of takedowns, one escape and the ride time point to secure the victory.
The remainder of the 2020-21 wrestling schedule is yet to be finalized and will be announced and posted on fhsuathletics.com at a later date.
| 2020 Black and Gold Scrimmage Results | |||
| Weight | Winner | Result | Team Score |
| 285 prelim | Tony Caldwell (Gold) defeats LJ Flax | Dec 3-2 | Gold leads, 3-0 |
| 157 prelim | Cody Hicks (Black) defeats Jonathan Green | TF 18-2 (4:08) | Black leads, 5-3 |
| 149 prelim | Cole Zebley (Gold) defeats Rhett Edmonson | Dec 15-8 | Gold leads, 6-5 |
| 125 | Matthew Gottschalk (Black) defeats Colin Cole | Fall 2:38 | Black leads, 11-6 |
| 174 | Marty Verhaeghe (Black) defeats Clint Herrick | Fall 4:43 | Black leads, 17-6 |
| 125 | Mason Turner (Gold) defeats Broderick Green | Fall 1:19 | Black leads, 17-12 |
| 197 | Tereus Henry (Black) defeats Elias Robles | Dec 7-6 | Black leads, 20-12 |
| 285 | A.J. Cooper (Gold) defeats Tony Caldwell | Fall 2:09 | Black leads, 20-18 |
| 149 | Cole Zebley (Gold) defeats Josh Lenker | Dec 6-4 | Gold leads, 21-20 |
| 157 | Anthony Scantlin (Gold) defeats Cody Hicks | Dec 6-0 | Gold wins, 24-20 |