WICHITA, Kan. - The Fort Hays State wrestling team defeated 24th-ranked Newman in Thursday's MIAA opener by a score of 24-21. Jet forfeits at the 133-, 141-, 184- and 285-pound weight classes were enough to propel the Tigers (4-5, 1-0 MIAA) to victory. The Jets (3-2, 0-1 MIAA) picked up five decisions and one pin in the remaining six matches.
The Jets took the 125-pound match as D'Andre Brown picked up a reversal in the third period to secure an 8-3 decision over Broderick Green. Tom VanValkenberg and Cole Zebley accepted forfeits at their weights to put the Tigers ahead 12-3. The Jets would take the next three matches with decisions 5-3, 5-2, and 6-3 before taking an 18-12 lead with a second-period pin at 174 pounds. Another forfeit at 184 pounds tied things up at 18 before a late reversal and takedown gave Ivan Balavage a 4-2 decision against No. 12 Tereus Henry, putting the Jets in front 21-18. Tony Caldwell sealed the victory for the Tigers with a forfeit at 285.
The Tigers will be back in action next Saturday when they host No. 1 Central Oklahoma at 7 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Fort Hays State 24, #24 Newman 21
125 - D`Andre Brown (NU) over Broderick Green (FHSU) (Dec 8-3)
133 - Tom VanValkenburg (FHSU) over Unknown (Forfeit)
141 - Cole Zebley (FHSU) over Unknown (Forfeit)
149 - Garrett Lange (NU) over Cason Lindsey (FHSU) (Dec 5-3)
157 - Jace Fisher (NU) over Anthony Scantlin (FHSU) (Dec 5-2)
165 - #5 Kameron Frame (NU) over Cody Hicks (FHSU) (Dec 6-3)
174 - JD Johnson (NU) over Aidan Johnson (FHSU) (Fall 4:43)
184 - #8 Marty Verhaeghe (FHSU) over Unknown (Forfeit)
197 - Ivan Balavage (NU) over #12 Tereus Henry (FHSU) (Dec 4-2)
285 - Tony Caldwell (FHSU) over Unknown (Forfeit)
FHSU Athletics