By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
LOUISVILLE, Mo. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team competed in the NWCA National Duals on Thursday (Jan. 6), going 1-1 on the day. After falling in the first round to No. 11 Ashland 24-15, the Tigers defeated 14th-ranked Upper Iowa by the same score. Thanks to the win over UIU, the Tigers have advanced to Friday’s consolation semifinals and are guaranteed a place in the top 8.
Broderick Green and Tereus Henry finished 2-0 for the Tigers, with each defeating a top-10 ranked wrestler in their weight class. Green recorded a decision and a first period fall while Henry picked up two decisions, including one to seal the victory over Upper Iowa.
Green gave the Tigers an early lead over Ashland with a 5-3 sudden victory over the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the 125-pound weight class, Christian Wellman. The Eagles took a 9-3 lead after the next two matches before an Ashland forfeit at 149 pounds tied the score at nine.
The Eagles then took the lead for good after winning the next four matches, including a narrow 4-3 decision by sixth-ranked Aidan Pasiuk over fifth-ranked Marty Verhaeghe. The Tigers clawed back into the dual with wins in the final two matchups, including Henry defeating the No. 9 wrestler at 197 pounds, Walker Uhl, with a 7-1 decision. Tony Caldwell finished the dual with a 6-0 decision over Ty Petrey, but the Tigers fell short by a final score of 24-15.
After receiving a bye in the next round, the Tigers faced the Upper Iowa Peacocks in the consolation quarterfinals. Broderick Green wrapped up a dominant day with a pin of Phillip Ihde in just over one minute, putting the Tigers on top 6-0. Cole Zebley picked up his first win of the day with a 4-3 decision over Conner Manderfeld at 141 pounds before Cason Lindsey picked up a takedown late in the third period to force overtime. Lindsey finished things off with a 10-8 sudden victory, putting the Tigers up 12-3 four matches in.
Anthony Scantlin dropped a heartbreaker as he led 6-5 over No.4 ranked Chase Luensman until late in the match when the UIU grabbed the lead with a reversal. Cody Hicks stretched the lead back to nine with a 6-3 decision at 165 pounds before the Peacocks picked up a fall at 174 pounds. Verhaeghe followed with a pin of his own in the next match in just under two minutes. The final blow came in the 197-pound match as Henry picked up a 10-3 decision, putting the dual out of reach for the Peacocks at 24-12. Upper Iowa was able to take the final match with an 8-7 decision, but the Tigers would still advance, 24-15.
The Tigers will face No. 15 Colorado Mesa in the consolation semifinals Friday (Jan. 7) at 8 a.m. CT/9 a.m. ET for a chance to wrestle for fifth place.
Championship Round 1 – #11 Ashland defeated Fort Hays State 24-15
125 – Broderick Green over Christian Wellman (Ashland) SV-1 5-3
133 – Gavin Weaver (Ashland) over Rhett Koppes Dec 9-3
141 – Luke Wymer (Ashland) over Cole Zebley Fall 5:46
149 – Cason Lindsey over Unknown (Unattached) Forf
157 – Chance Esmont (Ashland) over Anthony Scantlin Dec 11-4
165 – Drew Wiechers (Ashland) over Cody Hicks Maj 15-3
174 – Daniel Beemer (Ashland) over Clint Herrick TF 22-6
184 – Aidan Pasiuk (Ashland) over Marty Verhaeghe Dec 4-3
197 – Tereus Henry over Walker Uhl (Ashland) Dec 7-1
285 – Tony Caldwell over Ty Petrey (Ashland) Dec 6-0
Consolation Round 2 – Fort Hays State defeated #14 Upper Iowa 24-15
125 – Broderick Green over Philip Ihde (Upper Iowa) Fall 1:07
133 – Kaden Anderlik (Upper Iowa) over Rhett Koppes Dec 7-2
141 – Cole Zebley over Connor Manderfeld (Upper Iowa) Dec 4-3
149 – Cason Lindsey over Dalton Schams (Upper Iowa) SV-1 10-8
157 – Chase Luensman (Upper Iowa) over Anthony Scantlin Dec 7-6
165 – Cody Hicks over Cameron Lopez (Upper Iowa) Dec 6-3
174 – Colter Bye (Upper Iowa) over Clint Herrick Fall 2:28
184 – Marty Verhaeghe over Myron Crawford (Upper Iowa) Fall 1:51
197 – Tereus Henry over Bodie Garnier (Upper Iowa) Dec 10-3
285 – Jordan Baumler (Upper Iowa) over A.J. Cooper Dec 8-7