By McKENZIE CUNNINGHAM
Photo by Allie Schweizer
There might be a few unfamiliar faces on the Fort Hays State University wrestling team this winter.
But the Tigers hope those unfamiliar faces become well-known by the time the national championships roll around.
The Tigers, who started the season Nov. 1 with the annual Black and Gold Scrimmage, have two returning national qualifiers and multiple upperclassman who look to return with an even better season.
But with 16 incoming freshman, head coach Chas Thompson is trying to get a feel for what everyone has to bring to the mat this year.
“The freshman know there is a chance that they will be wrestling for a varsity spot this year,” he said. “We want to have depth, and going back to the National Duals this year means that it is the best teams in the country. And regardless of experience or youth, you earn the spot you get.”
Efe Osaghae, a returning All-American sophomore now at the 157-pound weight class, has been ranked No. 5 in preseason polls. Osaghae ended his freshman year in the 149-pound class with an eighth-place finish in the national championships.
“Moving up a weight class, I just felt like this would benefit me being able to eat more, feel better and be in better shape,” said Osaghae, who went 31-14 while competing at 149 last year.
Brandon Ball, a returning two-time national qualifier, returns at 141 pounds. The junior was sixth at the national meet as a redshirt freshman two seasons ago and also qualified last winter.
With his experience, Ball hopes to continue to out-work those he faces on the mat as he shoots for a top-three finish at the national tournament.
“I feel like quite a few people moved out of the rank who were ranked up top, but there is always another person who will take that top spot,” said Ball, who went 35-7 last year. “I just have to keep working hard and whatever happens, happens.”
The FHSU wrestling team also has three seniors — Ryne Cokeley (157 pounds), Micquille Robinson (184) and Nick Meck (174) — who look to finish their FHSU careers on a solid note.
“Our team is gonna have its strength for sure in the middle weights, while we have some guys who just have to prove themselves in some of the heavier and lower weights,” Thompson said.
The FHSU team will compete at the Bethany Swede Open at 9 a.m. Saturday in Lindsborg.