By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
The 19th-ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team picked up its second consecutive conference victory Sunday (Jan. 31), defeating No. 23 Newman 26-21. The dual came down to a sudden victory win for No. 9 A.J. Cooper in the final contest of the afternoon. The Tigers are now 3-6 on the year and 2-0 in MIAA action, while Newman falls to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in the league.
No. 2 Mason Turner opened the day with a pin just 45 seconds into the 125-pound match before Colin Cole won via forfeit at 133 pounds. Newman closed within 12-5 with a technical fall at 141 pounds before Cole Zebley got things back on track for FHSU.
The 149-pounder scored 10 points in the first period against Brecken Phipps, recording three takedowns and one four-point near fall. Zebley added a fourth takedown in the second period before taking home a 13-3 major decision.
The Jets roared in front with first period pins in the next two matches, taking a 17-16 advantage in the dual. Marty Verhaeghe put the Tigers back in front with a 9-1 major decision at 174 pounds. The senior tallied three takedown and only surrendered one escape while giving FHSU a 20-17 lead.
Newman responded with a major decision of its own at 184 pounds, taking the lead once again at 21-20. Tereus Henry put the Tigers in a great position to win the dual with a 9-2 decision at 197 pounds. The redshirt-freshman recorded a takedown and two near fall points in the opening period before picking up another takedown in the third period.
Leading 23-21, Fort Hays State needed a victory at 285 pounds to secure the win. After falling in an early 6-0 hole, Cooper managed to battle back and force a sudden victory period. Cooper earned one escape point in the first period before picking up four points on a takedown and a two count near the boundary midway through the second period. A quick escape in the third period tied things up at 6-6.
Neither side could score for the rest of the third period, sending the bout and the dual to a sudden victory round. Cooper secured the 8-6 victory 42 seconds into the period with a takedown.
The Tigers are next scheduled to compete next weekend when they travel to Edmond, Okla. to take on No. 3 Central Oklahoma on Friday (Feb. 5) beginning at 7 p.m.
#19 Fort Hays State 26, #23 Newman 21
125 | #2 Mason Turner (FHSU) over JJ Gilbert (NU) (Fall 0:45)
133 | Colin Cole (FHSU) over Unknown (For.)
141 | #12 Tyler Lawley (NU) over Broderick Green (FHSU) (TF 17-0 5:00)
149 | Cole Zebley (FHSU) over Brecken Phipps (NU) (MD 13-3)
157 | Baylor Smith (NU) over Josh Lenker (FHSU) (Fall 0:26)
165 | #3 Kameron Frame (NU) over Kadin Heacock (FHSU) (Fall 0:43)
174 | Marty Verhaeghe (FHSU) over JD Johnson (NU) (MD 9-1)
184 | Nate Panagakis (NU) over Clint Herrick (FHSU) (MD 12-2)
197 | Tereus Henry (FHSU) over Ivan Balavage (NU) (Dec 9-2)
285 | #9 A.J. Cooper (FHSU) over Jacob Stoneberger (NU) (SV-1 8-6)
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