FHSU Athletics

The No. 14 ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team heads east to Louisville, Ky. to take on No. 4 ranked Pitt-Johnstown in the first round of the National Duals on Friday (Jan. 4). The dual is set to begin at 8 a.m. CT (9 a.m. ET). Of the 16 teams participating, 11 are ranked in the latest D2WCA National Top 25 Poll and three other squads are receiving votes.

The top-5 teams in the nation will be present in Louisville; Nebraska-Kearney, St. Cloud State, Notre Dame College, Pitt-Johnstown and McKendree. No. 7 Wheeling Jesuit and No. 8 Lindenwood round out the top-10, while No. 13 Central Oklahoma, No. 18 Indianapolis and No. 21 Upper Iowa complete the ranked teams in the field. Gannon, Wisconsin-Parkside and West Liberty are receiving votes in the latest poll.

The Tigers enter the weekend with two ranked wrestlers on the squad. Junior Brandon Ball is No. 2 in the 141-pound weight class and sophomore Efe Osaghae sits at No. 4 in the 157-pound weight class. Ball carries an overall record of 9-0 with individual titles at the Bethany Swede Open and the Bob Smith Open. He sits at 1-0 in duals with a 6-0 decision over Central Oklahoma’s Nate Keim. Osaghae has put together a solid start to his season as well with a 12-2 overall record, including an individual title at the Swede Open. Osaghae has also captured runner-up finishes at the UNK Holiday Inn Open and the Bob Smith Open, while earning a 1-0 start to his dual season with a 5-4 decision over Dayton Garrett of UCO.

Meanwhile, the Mountain Cats enter the dual with five wrestlers ranked in the top-12 of their weight classes. No. 3 at 141 pounds, Joey Alessandro, will provide a must-see battle with Ball. Junior Chris Eddins is the top-ranked wrestler in the 149-pound weight class. Devin Austin enters as the No. 9 ranked wrestler at 165 pounds. At 174 pounds, Brock Biddle comes in as the No. 7 ranked wrestler, while Levi Niebauer (No. 6 at 197 pounds) rounds out the individuals who are ranked for Pitt-Johnstown.