By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men’s wrestling team won the final four matches to pull away in a 27-14 win over MIAA rival Newman on Thursday (Jan. 25). After Newman led 9-4 through three matchups, the Tigers took six of the next seven matches to seal the victory. The Tigers improved to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA, while Newman fell to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
The Tigers took the lead early as D’Andre Brown battled his way to a 13-0 major decision at 125 pounds. Newman tied things up with a 15-7 major decision by Collin Creach over Kevin Honas at 133 pounds. Newman struck again with a fall at 141 pounds and was deducted a team point for unsportsmanlike behavior before a pair of 10-3 decisions from Marcell Dely (149) and Hunter Harris (157) gave the Tigers a 10-9 advantage.
The Jets had one more jab when Jace Fisher, ranked fifth in DII at 165 pounds, battled his way to a technical fall, putting Newman up 14-10. From there the Tigers scored 17 unanswered points, including two decisions, one technical fall and one pin.
Senior Juan Urbina closed the gap to 14-13 with a 10-4 decision at 174 pounds before Matthew Rodriguezdominated his opponent at 184 pounds, recording a 21-1 technical fall in less than four minutes.
Tenth-ranked wrestler Tereus Henry (197) pinned Erik Tomanek in 1:19 to tally six more points while Tony Caldwell (285) sealed the win with a 7-2 decision. Jaxson Thomas (285) capped off the evening with a pin in just 39 seconds in an extra match.
The Tigers have four more conference duals on their schedule leading up to regionals. They will travel to face Ouachita Baptist and No. 21 ranked Central Missouri on Sunday (Jan. 28).
Fort Hays State 27, Newman 14
125 – D’Andre Brown over Dylan Sheler (MD 13-0)
133 – Collin Creach over Kevin Honas (MD 15-7)
141 – Jevin Foust over Drew Bell (Fall 3:36)
149 – Marcell Dely over Colby Schreiner (Dec 10-3)
157 – Hunter Harris over Bryce Kegley (Dec 10-3)
165 – Jace Fisher over Cody Hicks (TF 20-3 6:46)
174 – Juan Urbina over Chris Mapp (Dec 10-4)
184 – Matthew Rodriguez over Dane Donigian (TF 21-1 3:57)
197 – Tereus Henry over Erik Tomanek (Fall 1:19)
285 – Tony Caldwell over De’Leon Freeman (Dec 7-2)
285 – Extra: Jaxson Thomas over Rio Gomez (Fall 0:39)
Newman deducted 1 team point following 141 bout