By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION<\/b><\/p>\n
WICHITA, Kan. – The No. 16 ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team captured a runner-up finish as a team after recording 43 team points in the Reece Wright-Conklin Jet Invitational on Sunday (Dec. 9). The Tigers left the tournament with six placers and three individual champions. Sophomore Marty Verhaeghe<\/a> (174 pounds), Micquille Robinson<\/a> (184 pounds) and A.J. Cooper<\/a> (285 pounds) all claimed individual titles. Junior Wyatt Alvis<\/a> (149 pounds) earned a runner-up finish, while freshman Broderick Green<\/a> (125 pounds) and redshirt-freshman Conrad Vajnar<\/a> (157 pounds) captured third-place finishes.<\/p>\n Marty Verhaeghe<\/a> wrestled in the 174-pound weight class in the round-robin format. Verhaeghe defeated Trenton Clines (Drury) due to injury default. He then defeated Nate Panagakis (Newman) by 3-0 decision.<\/p>\n Micquille Robinson<\/a> wrestled in the 184-pound weight class. Robinson began his day by pinning Brayden Collins (Neosho County CC) in 2:58. In the semifinals, Robinson defeated Dylan Ballew (Drury) with a 14-2 major decision. The Wichita, Kan. native recorded another major decision (14-1) to defeat Ivan Balavage (Newman) in the title bout.<\/p>\n A.J. Cooper<\/a> wrestled in the 285-pound weight class. Cooper received a bye in the first round. He then defeated Cody Cornutt (Drury) with a 5-2 decision, using a nifty back flip move to stay ahead in the match and advance to the title bout. The Cimarron, Kan. native used a 4-1 decision to defeat Thor Balavage (Newman) for his first individual title of the season.<\/p>\n Wyatt Alvis<\/a> wrestled in the 149-pound weight class. He only had one match on the day and fell to Seth Otis (Drury) by decision (7-2).<\/p>\n