By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
INDIANAPOLIS – Senior wrestler Marty Verhaeghe took home the 184-pound championship at the 42nd Midwest Classic Sunday (Dec. 19), helping Fort Hays State place 17th out of 42 teams. A.J. Cooper placed fifth at 285 pounds, helping the Tigers total 45.5 team points in the event, second-most among MIAA competition. The Tigers have now claimed three individual champions and 31 placers at the Midwest Classic in their nine appearances all-time.
11th-ranked Verhaeghe advanced to the finals with a 4-2 decision over Alex Kaufman of Central Oklahoma. Facing off with seventh-ranked Aidan Pasuik from Ashland in the finals, Verhaeghe claimed his title with a 7-4 decision as he recorded an escape and a takedown in the first minute of the third period. The Bucyrus, Kan. is the first Tiger to win a championship at the Midwest Classic since both Aaron Meister (174) and Andrew Ubben (285) did so in 2004.
While battling through an injury, 10th-ranked A.J. Cooper fell in his semifinal by a 12-4 major decision against the fifth-ranked wrestler at 285 pounds, Jacob Robb of Mercyhurst. Cooper would then medically forfeit his way to a fifth-place finish in the event.
Top-ranked Central Oklahoma came away victorious in the team competition with 106.5 team points. No. 6 McKendree and 12th-ranked Findlay led the way with two champs each.
The Tigers have now captured five individual championships and 39 placers on the season. Verhaeghe finished the weekend with two wins against ranked opponents while Cooper recorded one-such victory.
Fort Hays State will return to the mat early in 2022 when the Tigers travel to Louisville, Ky. for the NWCA National Duals January 7-9.
Full FHSU Results from the 42nd Midwest Classic
125 – Broderick Green (1-2)
Champ. Round 1 – Broderick Green 13-10 won by decision over Zachary Collins (Findlay) 0-2 (Dec 4-2)
Champ. Round 2 – Nicholas Daggett (UNC-Pembroke) 2-1 won by decision over Broderick Green 13-10 (Dec 7-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Landen Fischer (Northern State) 3-1 won by major decision over Broderick Green 13-10 (MD 12-0)
133 – Tom VanValkenburg (0-2)
Prelim – Patrick Allis (Western Colorado) 3-1 won by fall over Tom VanValkenburg 8-11 (Fall 1:54)
Prelim – Jackson Collins (Tiffin) 1-2 won by fall over Tom VanValkenburg 8-11 (Fall 5:12)
149 – Cason Lindsey (0-2)
Champ. Round 1 – Wyatt Turnquist (Northern State) 3-0 won by decision over Cason Lindsey 13-9 (Dec 7-0)
Cons. Round 1 – Logan Mckoy (Seton Hill) 4-5 won by decision over Cason Lindsey 13-9 (Dec 12-7)
157 – Anthony Scantlin (2-2)
Champ. Round 1 – Anthony Scantlin 14-8 won by decision over Cliff Owens (UNC-Pembroke) 0-2 (Dec 9-6)
Champ. Round 2 – Dallas Boone (King) 9-5 won by decision over Anthony Scantlin 14-8 (Dec 6-1)
Cons. Round 2 – Anthony Scantlin 14-8 won by decision over Nathan Conley (Indianapolis) 1-2 (Dec 9-4)
Cons. Round 3 – Ben Durocher (UW-Parkside) 3-1 won by decision over Anthony Scantlin 14-8 (Dec 4-3)
165 – Cody Hicks (1-2)
Champ. Round 1 – Cody Hicks 11-8 won by decision over Gage Bernall (Lander) 0-2 (Dec 6-2)
Champ. Round 2 – Corey Christe (Coker) 9-2 won by decision over Cody Hicks 11-8 (Dec 3-2)
Cons. Round 2 – Connor Weeks (Belmont Abbey) 2-2 won by major decision over Cody Hicks 11-8 (MD 13-5)
174 – Clint Herrick (0-2)
Champ. Round 1 – Andrew Sams (Indianapolis) 3-0 won by major decision over Clint Herrick 4-10 (MD 14-1)
Cons. Round 1 – Austin Morgan (Central Missouri) 5-8 won by decision over Clint Herrick 4-10 (Dec 8-2)
184 – Marty Verhaeghe (5-0)
Champ. Round 1 – Marty Verhaeghe 25-4 won by decision over Zach Hazen (Central Missouri) 2-9 (Dec 8-1)
Champ. Round 2 – Marty Verhaeghe 25-4 won by injury default over Rozell Baker (McKendree) 1-2 (Inj. 4:16)
Quarterfinal – Marty Verhaeghe 25-4 won by major decision over Luke Mcgonigal (Mercyhurst) 2-1 (MD 8-0)
Semifinal – Marty Verhaeghe 27-4 won by decision over Alex Kauffman (Central Oklahoma) 5-1 (Dec 4-2)
1st Place Match – Marty Verhaeghe 27-4 won by decision over Aidan Pasiuk (Ashland) 13-1 (Dec 7-4)
197 – Tereus Henry (3-2)
Prelim – Tereus Henry 16-5 won by fall over Jacob Charette (Findlay) 3-2 (Fall 6:31)
Champ. Round 1 – Tereus Henry 16-5 won by fall over Justin Osler (American International) 7-8 (Fall 2:37)
Champ. Round 2 – Derek Blubaugh (Indianapolis) 3-0 won by decision over Tereus Henry 16-5 (Dec 5-4)
Cons. Round 2 – Tereus Henry 16-5 won by tech fall over Ian Lawson (William Jewell) 2-2 (TF-1.5 3:51 (16-0))
Cons. Round 3 – Donald Negus (Colorado Mesa) 9-1 won by decision over Tereus Henry 16-5 (Dec 7-0)
285 – A.J. Cooper (4-2)
Champ. Round 1 – A.J. Cooper 22-4 won by decision over Ty Petrey (Ashland) 3-12 (Dec 1-0)
Champ. Round 2 – A.J. Cooper 22-4 won by decision over Justin Wright (Belmont Abbey) 7-8 (Dec 2-0)
Quarterfinal – A.J. Cooper 22-4 won by decision over Gabriel Carranza (Colorado Mesa) 9-3 (Dec 9-6)
Semifinal – Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) 4-1 won by major decision over A.J. Cooper 23-6 (MD 12-4)
Cons. Semi – Sammy Deseriere (Western Colorado) 7-1 won by medical forfeit over A.J. Cooper 23-6 (M. For.)
5th Place Match – A.J. Cooper 23-6 won by medical forfeit over Weston Hunt (Colorado School of Mines) 9-3 (M. For.)