By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
LOUISVILLE – The Fort Hays State wrestling team finished in seventh place at the NWCA National Duals after another 1-1 day on Friday (Jan. 7). After losing a tough battle to 15th-ranked Colorado Mesa in the consolation semifinals, the Tigers defeated No. 18 Mercyhurst 25-20 to claim a spot in the top seven. All four programs the Tigers faced this week were ranked in the top 25, with FHSU pulling out wins over the No. 14-ranked Upper Iowa and No. 18-ranked Mercyhurst.
Cason Lindsey, Anthony Scantlin and Marty Verhaeghe all finished the day 2-0, including two major decisions from Scantlin, two wins via decision from Lindsey and Verhaeghe winning via decision and forfeit.
Colorado Mesa won the first three matches to go in front 16-0 before Lindsey got the Tigers on the board with a 3-2 decision. Scantlin followed with a 13-2 major decision before CMU won four of the final five matches to seal the win. The other Tiger victory came from fifth-ranked Verhaeghe at 184 pounds, a 5-3 decision.
The Tigers were given an early advantage against Mercyhurst as the Lakers were open at 125. The Lakers then took a narrow 7-6 lead with wins at 133 and 141 pounds before Lindsey and Scantlin recorded their second wins of the day to help the Tigers jump back in front. Lindsey fought his way to a 11-5 decision, while Scantlin took care of business with a 10-2 major decision, putting the Tigers in front 13-7.
The back-and-forth nature of the dual swung back in favor of Mercyhurst when the Lakers captured a major decision at 165 pounds and a pin in 28 seconds at 174 pounds, giving them a 17-13 lead. The Tigers went back in front for good after a forfeit at 184 pounds and a pin from Tereus Henry at 197 pounds. The day concluded with a hard fought 3-1 decision for No. 3 Jacob Robb at 285 pounds against No. 12 A.J. Cooper.
The Tigers are now 2-2 in dual competition and will be back in action in two weeks time (Jan. 20) when they travel to Golden, Colo. duals against San Francisco State (4 p.m. CT/3 p.m. MT) and No. 21 Colorado School of Mines (8 p.m. CT/7 p.m. MT).
Consolation Semifinals – #14 Colorado Mesa defeated Fort Hays State 34-10
125 – Cian Apple (Colorado Mesa) over Broderick Green Fall 2:45
133 – Collin Metzgar (Colorado Mesa) over Rhett Koppes Maj 13-1
141 – Erik Contreras (Colorado Mesa) over Cole Zebley Fall 4:11
149 – Cason Lindsey over Nick Gallegos (Colorado Mesa) Dec 3-2
157 – Anthony Scantlin over Ariel Rodriguez (Colorado Mesa) Maj 13-2
165 – Alexander Holguin (Colorado Mesa) over Cody Hicks Maj 10-0
174 – Seth Latham (Colorado Mesa) over Clint Herrick TF 18-0
184 – Marty Verhaeghe over Jason Byronic (Colorado Mesa) Dec 5-3
197 – Donald Negus (Colorado Mesa) over Tereus Henry Fall 4:25
285 – Kash Anderson (Colorado Mesa) over Tony Caldwell Dec 7-1
7th-Place Match – Fort Hays State defeated #18 Mercyhurst 25-20
125 – Rhett Koppes over Unknown Forfeit
133 – Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) over Broderick Green Maj 12-3
141 – Alexis Soriano (Mercyhurst) over Cole Zebley Dec 6-3
149 – Cason Lindsey over Alex Samson (Mercyhurst) Dec 11-5
157 – Anthony Scantlin over Vinny Catanzaro (Mercyhurst) Maj 10-2
165 – Max Swedesford (Mercyhurst) over Cody Hicks Maj 11-3
174 – Dillon Walker (Mercyhurst) over Clint Herrick Fall 0:28
184 – Marty Verhaeghe over Unknown Forfeit
197 – Tereus Henry over Hunter Harnish (Mercyhurst) Fall 3:35
285 – Jacob Robb (Mercyhurst) over A.J. Cooper Dec 3-1