INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team finished in a tie for 17th with West Liberty University in the 39th annual Midwest Classic on Sunday (Dec. 17). The Tigers finished with 38 team points. Third-ranked Brandon Ball earned a runner-up finish in the 141-pound weight class in one of the toughest tournaments of the season.
Conrad Cole wrestled in the 125-pound weight class. Cole lost to Joe Arroyo of Wisconsin-Parkside by way of a fall in 6:27 in the first round match. He defeated Alberto Perez of Emmanuel with a 9-1 major decision in the first round of the consolation side. Cole was defeated by Giuseppe Penzone of Tiffin with a 12-4 decision, ending his tournament.
Dy’Juan Carney defeated Chris Spano of Bellermine with a 17-2 technical fall in the first round of the 133-pound weight class. Carney lost to Airk Furseth of Wisconsin-Parkside with a 9-2 decision in the second round match. He picked up a couple of pins in the next two matches, defeating Mike Stewart of Findlay in 4:28 and defeating John Burger of Limestone in 2:51. Carney was one of three Tiger wrestlers to make it to the second day of the tournament. He lost to Naquan Hardy of McKendree in the fourth round on the consolation side with an 11-5 decision.
Third-ranked Brandon Ball defeated Joel Cawoski of Seton Hill with a 9-0 major decision in the first round of the 141-pound weight class. He then defeated Colin Ayers of Augustana with a 5-0 decision to continue rolling through the bracket. Ball used an 11-4 decision over Angelo Robles to advance to the semifinals. With that win, he qualified for day two of the tournament. Ball started Sunday’s action with an 8-2 decision over Robert Mason of Ashland to advance to his fourth title match of the season. He faced Darren Wynn of McKendree, the top-ranked wrestler in the nation at 141 pounds and last season’s runner-up at the NCAA Championships. Ball ultimately dropped the match to Wynn with a 9-3 decision. Ball sits at 17-2 overall on the season.
Ryne Cokeley entered the Midwest Classic in the 157-pound weight class for the Tigers. Cokeley defeated Jake Willochell of Seton Hill with an 8-6 decision in the first round match. He then defeated Ryan Strope of McKendree with a fall in 1:13 to advance to the quarterfinals. Cokeley dropped his next match to Pernevlo Shepperd of Wisconsin-Parkside with a 3-0 decision. Cokeley became the third Tiger to enter the second day of the tournament. He dropped the fourth round match on the consolation side to James Wimer of Findlay with an injury sustained in the match.
Marty Verhaeghe wrestled in the 165-pound weight class for the Tigers. He defeated Jacob Ramsey of West Liberty by way of a fall in 1:57 in his first round match. He then lost two straight matches, ending his tournament to Bret Romanzak of Ashland (6-3 decision) and Regan Bye of Augustana (4-1 decision).
Micah Felton competed in the 184-pound weight class for the Tigers. He won his first round match over Zach Breeden of Mercyhurst with a medical forfeit. He then lost two straight matches, ending his weekend. He fell to Jordan Murphy of Ashland (9-3 decision) and Charlie Hill of Marion (18-11 decision).
Senior Rakim Dean defeated Jody Crouse of Seton Hill with a 12-4 major decision in the first round match of the 197-pound weight class. He then fell to Wes Phipps of Mercyhurst with a 5-3 sudden victory defeat and dropped to Jesse Palser of Lake Erie with a 3-1 decision, ending his tournament.
The Tigers will take some time off for the holidays and come back to host Adams State on Thursday (Jan. 11). The dual against the Grizzlies is set to commence at 7 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.