KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State sophomore Brandon Ball was named MIAA Co-Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday (Dec. 5) for his efforts this past week in the conference dual against Central Oklahoma and his performance in the Bob Smith Open. He shares the honor this week with Noel Torres of Newman.

Ranked third in the nation at 141 pounds, Brandon Ball turned in a runner-up finish at the FHSU-Bob Smith Open, but took the nation’s top ranked Division I wrestler the distance in a tight match for the championship. Ball blazed his way to the semifinals with an 8-0 major decision and 10-5 decision before taking on highly touted wrestlers in his final two matches. In the semifinals, he held on for a 6-5 win over Oklahoma State’s Michael Megaldo to get the opportunity to face the top ranked wrestler in Division I, Dean Heil from Oklahoma State. Heil, the two-time defending national champion at 141 pounds, had to hold on for a tight 5-3 win over Ball in the championship. Ball had control of Heil at the end of the match, but was unable to roll him to his back on several attempts in the closing seconds in an effort to tie the match. Heil extended his overall win streak to 54 matches, while Ball took his first loss of the season and now sits at 13-1 overall. Oklahoma State currently ranks No. 3 in NCAA Division I as a team. Ball faced three Division I wrestlers in the tournament and his first opponent was from Division II affiliate Adams State. Ball also defeated Rio Zamora with a 7-0 decision in the dual against the Bronchos on Friday (Dec. 1).

Torres took home the individual title in the FHSU-Bob Smith Open in the 184-pound weight class after pinning his first two opponents and then defeating conference foe Joel Dixon of Central Oklahoma to advance to the semifinals. Torres defeated Keegan Moore of Oklahoma State with an 8-3 decision and Heath Gray of UCO with a 6-2 decision. Noel Torres has put together a solid 10-0 start to his redshirt-senior campaign.