FHSU Athletics
INDIANAPOLIS - Fort Hays State's Tereus Henry will finish a storied career tomorrow as an All-American after the senior picked up a pair of wins on day one of the 2025 NCAA Division II Championships Friday (March 14), earning him a spot in the semifinals and a guaranteed top six finish.
Henry, the No. 8 seed in the 197-pound bracket, opened the day against John Parker-Wilson of Newberry in the round of 16. Neither wrestler scored in the opening period before Parker-Wilson maintained control for the entire two minutes of the second period. Henry started the third period on top but gave up an escape 40 seconds in to fall behind 1-0. The El Paso, Texas native was able to take the lead with 37 seconds to go, securing a takedown and wiping out the ride time point to win 3-2.
Henry then drew the top overall seed Dominic Murphy of St. Cloud State in the quarterfinals, who entered the match 25-0 on the year. After a scoreless opening three minutes both wrestlers managed quick escapes in the second and third periods. Murphy then took a 4-1 lead with a takedown 30 seconds into the final period, but Henry was able to escape 15 seconds later to pull within 4-2.
Henry then struck with a single-leg attack with about one minute remaining, securing the go-ahead takedown with 42 seconds on the clock. Murphy nearly escaped soon after, but a mat return with 30 seconds to go brought the wrestlers out of bounds. Henry was then able to hang on for the final 25 seconds, including a late scrum with five seconds left that nearly saw a reversal, but Henry was able to hold on for the 5-4 decision.
The win avenged a loss to Murphy in last year's national quarterfinals. Henry is now 3-1 against Murphy in his career.
Now a two-time All-American, Henry will face off with long-time rival Jackson Kinsella of Nebraska-Kearney in the semifinals Saturday morning (March 15) beginning at 9 a.m. (10 a.m. ET). Henry and Kinsella have faced off eight times over the last three years, with each competitor winning four times. Kinsella is 2-0 in the matchup this season, including a late win in the regional final two weeks ago.
Should Henry reach the final, he would face off with either No. 3 seed Derek Blubaugh of UIndy or No. 7 seed Nicholas Johnson of Glenville St. Henry is 0-4 all-time against Blubaugh and 0-1 against Johnson.
Competing at his first national competition, Matthew Rodriguez finished the day 0-2 in the 184-pound bracket. The sophomore drew a pigtail match against Kyler Pickard of Belmont Abbey, who used two takedowns to secure a 7-2 decision. Rodriguez then fell to UNK's Jacari Deal for a fourth time this season via a 14-4 major decision.
The Tigers are currently in a tie for 31st thanks to the eight team points Henry has accrued.
Full FHSU Results
184 - Matthew Rodriguez - 0-2
Prelim - Kyler Pickard (Belmont Abbey) won by decision over Matthew Rodriguez (Dec 7-2)
Prelim - Jacari Deal (Nebraska-Kearney) won by major decision over Matthew Rodriguez (MD 14-4)
197 - Tereus Henry - 2-0 - 8.0 team points
Champ. Round 1 - Tereus Henry won by decision over John Parker-Wilson (Newberry) (Dec 3-2)
Quarterfinal - Tereus Henry won by decision over Dominic Murphy (St. Cloud State) (Dec 5-4)