CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team competed at the NCAA Division II Championships on Friday (Mar. 9). No. 4 Efe Osaghae advanced to the second day of nationals and earned All-America status by becoming one of the final eight wrestlers still alive in the 149-pound weight class.

Osaghae defeated No. 11 Logan Grass of Mercyhurst with a 9-4 decision in the first round of the 149-pound weight class. He then suffered a 3-1 decision defeat to No. 1 James Pleski of St. Cloud State, making it his first loss against the top-ranked wrestler this season (3-1). Osaghae bounced back with a victory over Reis Humphrey in the second round of the consolation side with a 2-1 decision over the New Mexico Highlands wrestler.

Osaghae will now face Isaiah Kemper of McKendree beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday (Mar. 10) to begin the second day of competition at the NCAA Championships.

No. 12 Rakim Dean earned a first round victory over Matthew Rudy of Limestone with a 14-8 decision in the 197-pound weight class. He was then defeated by No. 3 Vince Dietz of St. Cloud State by major decision (13-1) in the quarterfinals. Dean ended his season on an 18-4 major decision loss to James Lehman of UW-Parkside in the second round of the consolation side.

No. 12 Brandon Ball will not repeat as an all-american after suffering back to back losses in the 141-pound weight class. Ball was defeated by No. 2 Nick Crume of Indianapolis by a 10-3 decision before falling to No. 10 Tyler Warner of Wheeling Jesuit by decision (6-3) in the first round of the consolation side.

Ryne Cokeley was defeated by No. 4 Ryan Stope of McKendree by decision (7-4) in the first round of the 157-pound weight class before falling to Eric Milks of UNC-Pembroke is a 7-2 decision in the first round of the consolation side.