By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 22nd-ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team wraps up the regular season Wednesday (Feb. 19) with a road dual against in-state rival Newman. Action from Fugate Gymnasium in Wichita, Kan. is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The Tigers (5-6, 1-2 MIAA) have never lost to the Jets (4-3, 1-2 MIAA) in dual action, winning all 13 meetings since the series began in 2004. FHSU is a perfect 6-0 in Wichita.
A win Wednesday would give the Tigers a .500 or better record in duals for the ninth time in 12 seasons under head coach Chas Thompson. Thompson is the winningest coach in program history, climbing to 91 wins to date.
A.J. Cooper, Aryus Jones, Conrad Vajnar and Marty Verhaeghe are all projected to wrestle for the fourth time in MIAA competition this season. Cooper, Vajnar and Verhaeghe are all 2-1 in league duals, while Jones is 1-2 against league foe. Both of Coopers wins were pins, while Jones’ victory was a technical fall.
Brandon Ball, the second-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds, is 13-0 overall this season and 2-0 in MIAA duals. Jordan Davis is also undefeated in MIAA duals after picking up a pin Friday against Nebraska-Kearney.
With two wrestlers ranked in their respective weight classes, Newman was just outside the top 25 in the latest poll released by the NWCA. The Jets received 10 points in the balloting process, while 25th-ranked Colorado Mesa has 11.The Jets are led by Tyler Lawley, the seventh-ranked wrestler at 133 pounds, and No. 10 Kameron Frame in the 157-pound class. Newman defeated Central Missouri in its only other home dual this season, while the Tigers are 2-1 on the year in true road duals.
Wednesday’s victor will finish third in the conference standings behind league champion Central Oklahoma and Nebraska-Kearney.
Projected FHSU lineup against NU – February 19, 2020
125 | Colin Cole, R-Fr. (2-12)
133 | Dy’Juan Carney, R-Sr. (9-12) OR Conrad Cole, Sr. (9-9)
141 | #2 Brandon Ball, Sr. (13-0)
149 | Anthony Scantlin, So. (27-10)
157 | Josh Lenker, R-Fr. (0-13)
165 | Conrad Vajnar, So. (5-9)
174 | Marty Verhaeghe, Jr. (26-11)
184 | Aryus Jones, So. (23-8)
197 | Jordan Davis, Sr. (18-8)
285 | A.J. Cooper, Jr. (32-9)