FHSU Sports Information Department
EDMOND, Okla. – Fort Hays State held a brief lead but gave away too many bonus points in a 30-13 loss at Central Oklahoma on Tuesday evening (Jan. 5) in the first conference dual of the season. The Tigers are now 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the MIAA, while UCO went to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the MIAA.
Adam Ludwin gave the Tigers their only lead of the night by scoring a 16-4 major decision over Josh Breece at 125 pounds to open the dual. However, the lead went away immediately with the Tigers open at 133 pounds forfeiting six points to the Bronchos. The UCO two-point lead grew to eight at 12-4 when Noah Killip was pinned in 1:49 by Josh Ailey at 141 pounds.
The Tigers were able to make a run with consecutive decision wins. William Homalon won a high-scoring match at 149 pounds 16-13 over No. 7 ranked Spencer Rutherford, then Joey Dozier followed with a 6-5 decision over Jeromy Davenport at 157 pounds. Dozier was down two late, but scored a reversal then tacked on a riding time point for keeping control the majority of the first period. FHSU trailed by two once more, 12-10, heading into the 165-pound match.
Kregg Clarke avoided giving up bonus points at 165 pounds, dropping a 9-3 decision to Danny Carillo, but Dylan Wiesner fell victim to a pin by Mason Thompson at 174 pounds as UCO pushed its lead out to 11, 21-10, with three matches to go.
Jon Inman pulled the Tigers within eight scoring a 7-2 decision over Brock Warren at 184 pounds. Inman remains the No. 6 ranked wrestler nationally at 184 pounds with just one loss on the season.
The final two matches went to the Bronchos’ way as Cash Drylie lost by a 6-3 decision to Brody Largent at 197 pounds and Dakota Gulley was pinned by Kyle Factor late in the third period (6:37) at 285 pounds.
Fort Hays State returns home for non-conference action against Adams State on Saturday (Jan. 9) at 2 pm.