By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
FAYETTE, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team moved up two spots in the third set of regular season DII Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, released Friday (Jan. 11) by the organization. The Tigers are one three teams at No. 12, tied with Drury and Indianapolis. The Tigers are also one of five MIAA teams in the national rankings as Nebraska-Kearney dropped to No. 2, switching places with St. Cloud State for the second-consecutive set of rankings. Lindenwood jumped to No. 6, Central Oklahoma dipped to No. 18 and Newman slipped to No. 23.
In the individual rankings, junior Brandon Ball stays put at No. 2 at 141 pounds. He sits at 12-0 on the year with individual titles at the Bethany Swede Open and the Bob Smith Open. At the National Duals (Jan. 4), Ball finished 3-0, including a strong victory over then-No. 3 ranked individual Joey Alessandro of Pitt-Johnstown.
Also in the rankings is Efe Osaghae, who held steady as the fourth-ranked wrestler in the 157-pound weight class. The sophomore continues to put together a strong campaign thus far at 15-2 after a 3-0 performance at the National Duals last week in Louisville, Ky.
Entering the individual rankings for the first time as a Tiger, Marty Verhaeghe is tabbed No. 9 in the 174-pound weight class. Verhaeghe sits 15-6 overall and 13-2 against Division II competition.
The Tigers set to face off with Lindenwood tonight in their first home MIAA Dual. The battle is set to commence at 7 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. Fort Hays State then hosts the Kansas Cup on Sunday (Jan. 13) inside GMC as well.