By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team wrapped up its season finishing 14th as a team at the 2023 NCAA DII Championships on Saturday (March 11) and will return home with two All-Americans. Cade Lindsey (174 pounds) and Tereus Henry (197 pounds) each claimed a third-place finish in their respective brackets, with both earning their first All-American trophy. Lindsey and Henry both suffered tough losses in the semifinals before grappling their way to a third-place finish with back-to-back wins.
Lindsey suffered a loss by fall to top-seeded and former national champion Abner Romero of St. Cloud State in his semifinal match. On the consolation side, Lindsey faced a familiar foe in Cole Hernandez from Western Colorado. Lindsey and Hernandez had met twice before this season with Lindsey winning both matchups via first period fall. In the consolation semifinals, Lindsey took the early lead with a takedown before Hernandez was able to score a reversal to tie the match. Lindsey escaped at the end of the period to take a 3-2 lead. Lindsey padded his lead in the second period by escaping early in the period and scoring another takedown to extend his lead to 6-2. Another takedown in the third period helped Lindsey move to the third-place match as he captured a 9-3 decision over Hernandez.
In the placement match, Lindsey faced James Penfold of Lake Erie. Penfold upset second-seeded Max Bruss of UMary in the consolation semifinals to face Lindsey. Lindsey never trailed in the match as he snagged a first period takedown to take the lead. He added an escape in the following period on his way to a 3-1 decision and a third-place finish in his NCAA Championships debut.
Henry faced second seeded Derek Blubaugh in the semifinals and was unable to overcome an early deficit, falling 7-3. Henry would face Matt Kaylor of UMary in the consolation semifinals. A pair of first period takedowns put Henry up 4-1 and he was able to hold Kaylor down for the remainder of the match securing a 6-1 decision.
In the third-place match, Henry faced fourth-seeded Dominic Murphy of St. Cloud State. Henry took a 2-1 lead after a first period takedown. Murphy tied the score with an escape early in the second, but another takedown by Henry helped him to a 4-3 lead entering the final period. Shortly after choosing bottom to start the period, Henry scored an escape extending his lead. Murphy tied the match with 30 seconds left by scoring a takedown but Henry was able to escape to regain the lead. Riding time accumulation added a point to Henry’s total earning him a third-place finish via 7-5 decision.
Full 2023 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships Results for Fort Hays State
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Cade Lindsey (37-7) placed 3rd and scored 14.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Cade Lindsey won by decision over Owen Butler (Indianapolis) (Dec 7-0)
Quarterfinal – Cade Lindsey won by fall over Anthony Des Vigne (Central Oklahoma) (Fall 1:41)
Semifinal – Abner Romero (St. Cloud State) won by fall over Cade Lindsey (Fall 4:30)
Cons. Semi – Cade Lindsey won by decision over Cole Hernandez (Western Colorado) (Dec 9-3)
3rd Place Match – Cade Lindsey won by decision over James Penfold (Lake Erie) (Dec 3-1)
197
Tereus Henry (38-4) placed 3rd and scored 14.5 team points.
Champ. Round 1 – Tereus Henry won by major decision over Jacob Kowalski (Findlay) (MD 14-3)
Quarterfinal – Tereus Henry won by major decision over Dakoda Rodger (Pitt-Johnstown) (MD 15-1)
Semifinal – Derek Blubaugh (Indianapolis) won by decision over Tereus Henry (Dec 7-3)
Cons. Semi – Tereus Henry won by decision over Matt Kaylor (Mary) (Dec 6-1)
3rd Place Match – Tereus Henry won by decision over Dominic Murphy (St. Cloud State) (Dec 7-5)