FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State opened the dual season with an impressive 29-16 win over No. 9 Central Oklahoma on Friday, Dec. 5. Garrett Jones, Noah Killip, Josh Rodriguez, Jon Inman, Cash Drylie and Trey Page all picked up victories on the evening, helping the Tigers start 1-0 in conference duals as well.  As a team, the Tigers had three pins and two major decisions, giving the team much needed bonus points in the win.

In the first match of the night, Adam Ludwin (125) hung tough with UCO’s Zac D’Amico for much of the match, nearly pulling off a reversal in the final minute of action, but couldn’t circle behind to complete the move, dropping a 2-1 decision.

At 133 pounds, Jones trailed 5-1 in the third period against Dustin Reed (UCO) and looked to be on the verge of another decision loss for the Tigers. Around the 5:30 mark of the match, however, Jones tossed Reed to his back before picking up a come-from-behind victory with a pin in 6:10.  The fall gave FHSU a 6-3 lead in the team score.

Killip furthered that team score advantage (10-3) in his 149 pound bout, running over UCO’s Austin Quinton with a 10-0 major decision.  Killip nearly picked up the Tigers’ second straight pin in the second period, but was only awarded near fall points on his way to the victory.

FHSU found itself trailing soon after Killip’s match, however, as UCO strung together three straight wins at 149, 157 and 165 pounds.

At 149, eighth-ranked Spencer Rutherford (UCO) picked up an 11-3 major decision over FHSU’s Ky Biddle before Bradley Little dropped a narrow 3-2 decision against Jeromy Davenport.  Down 3-1 in the third, Little had an escape and pushed hard through the final two minutes but couldn’t come up with a takedown as the Bronchos tied the match, 10-all.

UCO took back the lead (16-10) at 165 pounds, as No. 1 Chris Watson won by fall over FHSU’s Bryce Lewis in 2:44.  Lewis started the match with an early takedown on Watson, but the top-ranked wrestler found his way into the top position with a reversal before pinning Lewis.

From there, it was all Fort Hays State to close the match, beginning with two wrestlers ranked fifth nationally in their respective weight classes.  At 174 pounds, Rodriguez’s 14-4 major decision came with several near fall points against Colton Gallo (UCO) before the Inman (184 pounds) took control early before sticking Dylan Harmon (UCO) in 4:11 – giving the Tigers back a 20-16 lead.

The Tigers sealed the win behind Drylie’s narrow 5-4 victory over Michael Conner (UCO) at 197 pounds.  Down 3-2 in the third period (though he had around two minutes of riding time built up), Drylie picked up a reversal as the riding clock wound down to a minute before holding on for the decision.  The Tigers led, 23-16, at that point.

Page, ranked eighth nationally, made quick work of his opponent in the final match of the evening, taking down John Finn (UCO) in the first period before turning and sticking the 285-pounder in 2:19.

The win was just FHSU’s fourth all-time against the Bronchos, though the Tigers had UCO on the ropes last year – dropping the match (16-22) because of an open weight class.

FHSU returns to the mats this Sunday (Dec. 7) for the Bob Smith Open at Gross Memorial Coliseum.  Action begins at 9 a.m.

Complete results from Friday’s contest are below…

125 – Zac D’Amico (UCO) wins by decision (2-1) over Adam Ludwin (FHSU)
133 – Garrett Jones (FHSU) wins by fall (6:10) over Dustin Reed (UCO)
141 – Noah Killip (FHSU) wins by major decision (10-0) over Austin Quinton (UCO)
149 – No. 8 Spencer Rutherford wins by major decision (11-3) over Ky Biddle (FHSU)
157 – Jeromy Davenport (UCO) wins by decision (3-2) over Bradley Little (FHSU)
165 – No. 1 Chris Watson (UCO) wins by fall (2:44) over Bryce Lewis (FHSU)
174 – No. 5 Josh Rodriguez (FHSU) wins by major decision (14-4) over Colton Gallo (UCO)
184 – No. 5 Jon Inman (FHSU) wins by fall (4:11) over Dylan Harmon (UCO)
197 – Cash Drylie wins by decision (5-4) over Michael Conner (UCO)
285 – No. 8 Trey Page (FHSU) wins by fall (2:19) over John Finn (UCO)