KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three Fort Hays State wrestlers earned MIAA dual meet honors for their performance throughout the 2019-20 season, announced Monday by the league office. Brandon Ball (141 pounds) and Marty Verhaeghe (174 pounds) were both named champion at their weight class, while A.J. Cooper was the runner-up at 285 pounds.
Brandon Ball was 3-0 in MIAA action, including a pair of bonus point victories. The senior defeated his opponent from Central Oklahoma via decision, 7-2, before racking up a dominating 16-0 tech fall against Nebraska-Kearney. Ball capped off the regular season with an 11-2 major decision against Newman.
Marty Verhaeghe accumulated a 2-1 record against conference opponents, including a 13-1 major decision against Central Missouri. The junior added a 9-5 decision against Central Oklahoma before a dropping a slim 6-3 decision against Nebraska-Kearney.
A.J. Cooper turned in a 3-1 record in league duals, with the only loss coming against conference champion Jarrod Hinrichs of UNK. Cooper's three victories were all bonus-point affairs, picking up a pin in just 34 seconds against Central Missouri, a late pin against Central Oklahoma and a shutout 8-0 major decision against Newman.
2019-20 MIAA Dual Meet Individual Weight Class Champions
125 pounds
CHAMPION: Josh Portillo, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Studd Morris, Central Oklahoma
133 pounds
CHAMPION: Wesley Dawkins, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Cody Karstetter, Central Oklahoma
141 pounds
CHAMPION: Brandon Ball, Fort Hays State
RUNNER-UP: Conner Dalton, Central Missouri
149 pounds
CO-CHAMPION: Kevin Kissane, Newman
CO-CHAMPION: Sam Turner, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Brik Filippo, Central Oklahoma
157 pounds
CHAMPION: Jacob Wasser, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: Austin Morgan, Central Missouri
165 pounds
CHAMPION: Matt Malcom, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: John Ridle, Central Missouri
174 pounds
CHAMPION: Marty Verhaeghe, Fort Hays State
RUNNER-UP: JD Johnson, Newman
184 pounds
CHAMPION: Heath Gray, Central Oklahoma
RUNNER-UP: Anthony Mancini, Nebraska Kearney
197 pounds
CHAMPION: Ivan Balavage, Newman
RUNNER-UP: Andrew Demos, Nebraska Kearney
285 pounds
CHAMPION: Jarrod Hinrichs, Nebraska Kearney
RUNNER-UP: A.J. Cooper, Fort Hays State
FHSU Sports Information