The Fort Hays State wrestling squad finished fourth at the MIAA Tournament in Edmond, Okla. on Sunday. It was the first MIAA Tournament in wrestling since 1986, now that wrestling is a championship sport in the MIAA again starting this year. Nebraska-Kearney edged Central Oklahoma for the team championship, 109 points to 102. Central Missouri was third with 47 and FHSU scored 42.
Garrett Jones was the top placer for the Tigers, taking second in the 125-pound bracket. He got an opening round bye and then defeated Blayne Shockley of Lindenwood by pin in 3:35. He lost to Connor Bolling of Nebraska-Kearney in the championship match by a 4-1 decision.
Fort Hays State had four wrestlers place third, which included Rory Wilkinson at 133 pounds, C.J. Napier at 141 pounds, Sam Thoman at 165 pounds, and Zack Grimes at 184 pounds.
Wilkinson won his opening round match over Michael Caldwell of Lindenwood with a 7-2 decision, but then dropped to the consolation bracket losing by pin in 6:58 to Daniel DeShazer in the semifinals. He then pinned Dan Karlskin of Truman in 2:57 to reach the consolation final, where he edged Hunter Neighbors of Central Missouri by a 2-1 decision.
Napier lost 5-2 in the semifinals to Trison Graham of Central Oklahoma, but rebounded for a 3-2 overtime win over Jacob Janes of Lindenwood and then took third with a 3-1 decision over Brock Coutu of Nebraska-Kearney.
Thoman won his opening round match over Dustin McClintock of Truman by a 17-8 major decision, but lost to Chase Nelson of Nebraska-Kearney by a 12-4 major decision in the semifinals. He bounced back to win by injury default against Cullen Halpin of Lindenwood and defeated McClintock again for third by a 5-1 decision.
Grimes lost in the opening round to Mark Fiala of Nebraska-Kearney by an 8-5 decision, but defeated Tanner Keck of Central Oklahoma 5-3 to reach the consolation final. He defeated Nate Seiler of Truman by a 6-2 decision for third.
Fort Hays State wraps up its dual season on Thursday (Feb. 14) when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney at Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays. The dual is set to begin at 7 pm.