By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 17th-ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team unofficially opened the 2019-20 season Wednesday (Nov. 6) with the annual Black and Gold Scrimmage inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. After trailing for much of the evening, the Black squad rallied for a 42-40 victory, the fourth win in the last five years for the black team.
With the depth up and down this year’s roster, the Tigers opted for a slightly different format for the 2019 edition of the scrimmage. In four weight classes (125, 133, 149, 285) a pair of wrestlers battled for a chance to advance and take on one more teammate in round two. In two weight classes (174, 197) head coach Chas Thompson sent four wrestlers to the mat, facing off in a pair of semifinal bouts before wrestling in a championship and consolation match in round two. Two more weight classes (157, 184) featured just one matchup.
Five Tigers came away with two wins on the night, including one true freshman, one redshirt-freshman, one sophomore and two juniors.
Mason Turner came away victorious at 125 pounds, winning his first match with a pin late in the first period before earning a major decision in the championship bout.
Jonathan Ball captured a pair of wins at 149 pounds, pinning his first opponent midway through the opening round before earning a tech fall win in his second match of the night.
Efe Osaghae battled his way through a loaded 174-pound class, earning a pair of close decisions.
Tereus Henry came away victorious in the 197-pound tournament, recording a pin with just seconds remaining on the clock in the opening round of his first bout before holding on for a 9-6 decision in the championship bout.
A.J. Cooper took down both of his opponents via pin to secure the victory at 285 pounds. Entering the final bout of the evening needing at least a major decision to help his team to victory, the junior managed to shake off an early takedown and pick up his second pin of the night midway through the second period, completing the comeback.
After their final tune-up Wednesday, the Tigers will head to St. Louis, Mo. to open the regular season Saturday (Nov. 9) at the Maryville Kaufman/Brand/Bayly Open, hosted by Maryville University. Action is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.
The Tigers have five home dates on the schedule for the 2019-20 season, including three duals and two tournaments. FHSU begins its home schedule on Dec. 7 with the annual Bob Smith Open before wrapping up the year by hosting one of six NCAA DII Super Regionals on March 1.
Full results from the 2019 Black and Gold Scrimmage can be found below.
| Round One | |||
| Wt | Winner | Result | Team Score |
| 125 | Mason Turner (Gold) defeats Collin Cole | Fall 2:30 | Gold leads 6-0 |
| 133 | Devin Onwugbufor (Gold) defeats Payton Sadowski | Fall 4:15 | Gold leads 12-0 |
| 149 | Jonathan Ball (Black) defeats Kadin Heacock | Fall 1:13 | Gold leads 12-6 |
| 157 | Anthony Scantlin (Gold) defeats Colten Ballentine | TF 21-3 | Gold leads 17-6 |
| 174 | Efe Osaghae (Black) defeats Nick Lucas | Dec 5-2 | Gold leads 17-9 |
| 174 | Marty Verhaeghe (Gold) defeats Nathan Dotson | Maj 10-2 | Gold leads 21-9 |
| 184 | Aryus Jones (Black) defeats Clint Herrick | Maj 11-0 | Gold leads 21-13 |
| 197 | Ryan Tiers (Black) defeats Elias Robles | Fall 6:00 | Gold leads 21-19 |
| 197 | Tereus Henry (Gold) defeats Jarod Camacho | Fall 2:56 | Gold leads 27-19 |
| 285 | A.J. Cooper (Black) defeats LJ Flax | Fall 2:07 | Gold leads 27-25 |
| Round Two | |||
| Wt | Winner | Result | Team Score |
| 125 | Mason Turner (Gold) defeats Broderick Green | Maj 9-1 | Gold leads 31-25 |
| 133 | Conrad Cole (Black) defeats Devin Onwugbufor | Dec 9-3 | Gold leads 31-28 |
| 149 | Jonathan Ball (Black) defeats Josh Lenker | TF 18-3 | Black leads 33-31 |
| 174 Champ. | Efe Osaghae (Black) defeats Marty Verhaeghe | Dec 4-2 | Black leads 36-31 |
| 174 Cons. | Nick Lucas (Gold) defeats Nathan Dotson | Fall 1:53 | Gold leads 37-36 |
| 197 Champ. | Tereus Henry (Gold) defeats Ryan Tiers | Dec 9-6 | Gold leads 40-36 |
| 285 | A.J. Cooper (Black) defeats Jordan Davis | Fall 4:11 | Black wins 42-40 |