By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The No. 19 Fort Hays State wrestling team will compete at home for the first time this season Saturday (Dec. 7) when the Tigers host the annual FHSU-Bob Smith Open. The event is set to begin at 9 a.m., with approximately 200 wrestlers competing on six mats inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Tickets for the Bob Smith Open are $10 per adult and $5 for youth. Live results from the tournament will be available at the link above.
Two Tigers are nationally ranked in Division II, including Brandon Ball and Efe Osaghae. Ball, the No. 2-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds, will be competing for the first time this season on Saturday. Ninth-ranked Osaghae (165 pounds) is 1-1 on the season, including a 1-0 mark against DII competition.
A.J. Cooper leads the Tigers with 13 victories this season, including five pins and three technical falls. Cooper took home the victory at 285 pounds at the Swede Open and placed fourth at the Kaufman/Brand/Bayly Open and at the UNK Younes Hospitality Open.
Marty Verhaeghe and Anthony Scantlin are tied for second with 10 wins each. Verhaeghe won the 174-pound bracket at the Swede Open and finished fifth at the Kaufman/Brand/Bayly Open. Scantlin is 10-4 on the year thanks to a second-place finish at 157 pounds at the Swede Open and a third-place finish at the UNK Younes Hospitality Open.
Tereus Henry leads the team with seven pins in nine bouts. The freshman is 8-1 on the year, capturing first place at the Swede Open and third place at the Dan Harris Open.