BY TRISTAN SASSE<\/p>\n
PHOTO COURTESY OF FHSU ATHLETICS<\/p>\n
Redshirt freshman Efe Osaghae<\/a>, a multi-sport athlete at Fort Hays State University, became a force to be reckoned with this past season as a member of the Tiger wrestling team. Although Osaghae made his presence known on the wrestling mat, he is also a member of the FHSU soccer team. While finding time for both sports seems difficult, Osaghae defies all odds.<\/p>\n Before arriving at FHSU, Osaghae developed his athletic ability in Florissant, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, at McCluer North High School. Growing up in the city gave Osaghae the desire to compete at a high level.<\/p>\n \u201cI had incredible high school coaches that helped make me the athlete I am today,\u201d said Osaghae. \u201cWithout those guys, I don’t know where I’d be today.\u201d<\/p>\n At McCluer North, Efe\u2019s ability was felt on the field and the mat. In soccer, Osaghae was an all-region selection in 2014 and 2015 for Class 4. Additionally, he excelled in wrestling<\/a> during his junior and senior seasons of high school.<\/p>\n As a junior, Osaghae placed fourth at state and went 37-6 overall. Efe followed it up by going 36-4 as a senior and finished his high school career with an overall record of 112-24.<\/p>\n Soon after, Osaghae saw a reason to come to FHSU to continue his career in athletics.<\/p>\n \u201cI liked the coaches and our wrestling team had a graduate assistant at the time that was on the same wrestling club as me,\u201d said Osaghae.<\/p>\n Osaghae then decided to head to FHSU<\/a> and redshirt during his first season of eligibility. After a full season of athletics, redshirting was the right move for Osaghae.<\/p>\n \u201cRedshirting taught me how to manage my time better,\u201d said Osaghae. \u201cI got more mature and smarter. My grades improved.\u201d<\/p>\n Fort Hays State University Head Wrestling Coach Chas Thompson<\/a> was impressed by the improvement of his standout freshman.<\/p>\n \u201cLiterally in all aspects you want someone to make growth in, he has. Socially, as a wrestler, and even academically,\u201d said Thompson.<\/p>\n The move allowed Osaghae to not only perform at a higher level in school but to compete with his teammates at an increased level as well.<\/p>\n Efe\u2019s season began as a forward with the FHSU men\u2019s soccer team. Osaghae saw short stints of action off the bench in the three matches he participated in. The Tigers won all three games he played, but he only logged 30 minutes on the field during the season.<\/p>\n During the wrestling season, Osaghae\u2019s significance became much more prevalent.<\/p>\n Ranked as high as the No. 4 wrestler in the nation at the 149-pound weight class, Osaghae made a major impact in his first full season with the Tigers\u2019 wrestling squad. The St. Louis native finished the season with a 31-14 record.<\/p>\n