FAYETTE, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team jumped to No. 15 in the fifth edition of the DII National Rankings on Thursday (Feb. 15). The Tigers are tied with conference rival Lindenwood as both teams received 25 votes in the Top 25 Poll. Sophomore Brandon Ball moved up to No. 3 in the 141-pound weight class and Efe Osaghae entered the rankings for the first time in his career to No. 4 in the 149-pound weight class.

FHSU is one of four MIAA teams in the Top 25 as Central Oklahoma dipped one spot to No. 11 and Nebraska-Kearney dropped a spot to No. 13. Lindenwood soared up five spots to No. 15, even with the Tigers.

In the individual rankings, Brandon Ball rose to No. 3 once again at 141 pounds. Ball leads the team with a 31-3 overall record and is 21-2 against Division II opponents. The sophomore is on a 12-match winning streak heading into regionals next weekend (Feb. 23-24). Ball earned the MIAA Championship last weekend (Feb. 11).

Efe Osaghae enters the rankings for the first time as a Tiger at 149 pounds. Osaghae sits at No. 4 after an impressive redshirt-freshman campaign by defeating the defending national champion, Keith Surber of UNK, twice. The most recent time was in overtime of the title bout at the MIAA Championships. Osaghae carries a 26-10 overall record and a 14-5 record in Division II into regionals.