FAYETTE, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team moved up two spots in the second set of regular season DII Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 Poll, released Monday (Dec. 31) by the organization. The Tigers are one of five MIAA teams in the national rankings at Nebraska-Kearney took over the top spot, unseating St. Cloud State, Lindenwood sits at No. 8, Central Oklahoma is tabbed one spot in front of the Tigers are No. 13 and Newman rounds out the conference at No. 22.

In the individual rankings, junior Brandon Ball jumped two spots to the second-ranked wrestler at 141 pounds. He sits at 9-0 on the year with individual titles at the Bethany Swede Open and the Bob Smith Open. Ball also began his dual season with a 6-0 decision over Nate Keim of Central Oklahoma (Dec. 7).

Also in the rankings is Efe Osaghae, who held steady at No. 4 in the 157-pound weight class. The sophomore is putting together a solid season thus far at 12-2 overall. Osaghae picked up the individual title at the Swede Open before capturing runner-up finishes at the UNK Holiday Inn Open and the Bob Smith Open. Osaghae also started his dual season with a victory as he defeated Dayton Garrett with a 5-4 decision.

The Tigers resume their season at the National Duals this weekend (Jan. 4-5) in Louisville, Ky. The duals are set to commence at 10 a.m. both days.