By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three Fort Hays State wrestlers earned MIAA dual meet honors for their performance throughout the 2019-20 season, announced Monday (March 9) by the league office. Brandon Ball (141 pounds) and Marty Verhaeghe (174 pounds) were both named champion at their weight class, while A.J. Cooper was the runner-up at 285 pounds.
Brandon Ball was 3-0 in MIAA action, including a pair of bonus point victories. The senior defeated his opponent from Central Oklahoma via decision, 7-2, before racking up a dominating 16-0 tech fall against Nebraska-Kearney. Ball capped off the regular season with an 11-2 major decision against Newman.
Marty Verhaeghe accumulated a 2-1 record against conference opponents, including a 13-1 major decision against Central Missouri. The junior added a 9-5 decision against Central Oklahoma before a dropping a slim 6-3 decision against Nebraska-Kearney.
A.J. Cooper turned in a 3-1 record in league duals, with the only loss coming against conference champion Jarrod Hinrichs of UNK. Cooper’s three victories were all bonus-point affairs, picking up a pin in just 34 seconds against Central Missouri, a late pin against Central Oklahoma and a shutout 8-0 major decision against Newman.
2019-20 MIAA Dual Meet Individual Weight Class Champions
125 pounds
CHAMPION: Josh Portillo, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Studd Morris, Central Oklahoma
133 pounds
CHAMPION: Wesley Dawkins, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Cody Karstetter, Central Oklahoma
141 pounds
CHAMPION: Brandon Ball, Fort Hays State
RUNNER-UP: Conner Dalton, Central Missouri
149 pounds
CO-CHAMPION: Kevin Kissane, Newman
CO-CHAMPION: Sam Turner, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Brik Filippo, Central Oklahoma
157 pounds
CHAMPION: Jacob Wasser, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Austin Morgan, Central Missouri
165 pounds
CHAMPION: Matt Malcom, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: John Ridle, Central Missouri
174 pounds
CHAMPION: Marty Verhaeghe, Fort Hays State
RUNNER-UP: JD Johnson, Newman
184 pounds
CHAMPION: Heath Gray, Central Oklahoma
RUNNER-UP: Anthony Mancini, Nebraska Kearney
197 pounds
CHAMPION: Ivan Balavage, Newman
RUNNER-UP: Andrew Demos, Nebraska Kearney
285 pounds
CHAMPION: Jarrod Hinrichs, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: A.J. Cooper, Fort Hays State