WICHITA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team finished the Kansas Cup with a second place finish for the first time in five years as the Tigers totaled 147.5 team points on the day. Newman took home the title with 153 team points. The Tigers had four individual champions and three runner-up finishers.

Conrad Cole finished the Kansas Cup with a third place finish in the 125-pound weight class. Cole ended the day with a 4-1 record, picking up three pins on the way.

No. 8 ranked Brandon Ball claimed his second straight title in 141-pound weight class. Ball finished the day 3-0, including two technical fall victories. Ball improved his overall record to 25-3 on the season, including a 15-2 clip against Division II foes.

Efe Osaghae took home the individual title in the 149-pound class as he also finished 3-0 on the day. Osaghae notched two major decisions and a technical fall victory on his way to the championship. He is the second Tiger to reach 20 wins on the season as he notched his 22nd victory in the title bout.

In the 165-pound weight class, Marty Verhaeghe claimed a runner-up finish equating to a 3-1 overall record in the Kansas Cup. Verhaeghe used a major decision and a fall on his way to a second-place finish.

Micquille Robinson claimed the third individual title for the Tigers on the day. Robinson went 3-0 in the 174-pound weight class and picked up a pin along the way.

Jordan Davis finished the day with a 2-1 record on his way to a runner-up finish in the 184-poound weight class. Davis picked up two pins before falling in the title bout.

Senior Rakim Dean captured the 197-pound weight class championship with two technical fall victories and a major decision in the title bout to end his day with a 3-0 record.

Dakota Gulley finished the Cup with a runner-up finish in the 285-pound weight class, picking up a technical fall victory on the way.

The Tigers will take a week off from competition and regroup before heading to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on Central Missouri on Friday (Feb. 2) in a conference clash with the Mules. The dual is set to commence at 7 p.m.

BROOKFIELD, Ill. – Fort Hays State had nine players named to the 2017 Don Hansen NCAA Division II All-Super Region 3 Team. Head coach Chris Brown earned Super Region 3 Coach of the Year honors for guiding Fort Hays State to an undefeated 11-0 regular season and its first NCAA Playoff appearance since 1995. Conferences combining to create Super Region 3 are the MIAA, GLVC, GLIAC, and GAC.

Chris Brown adds the Don Hansen Super Region 3 Coach of the Year honor alongside the MIAA Coach of the Year distinction. Also, Brown won the HERO Sports Fan Choice D2 Coach of the Year vote, an honor voted on by fans nationwide.

Four Tigers received first-team honors, two on offense and two on defense. The list includes senior running back Kenneth Iheme, senior offensive lineman Travis Talley, senior defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd, and junior defensive back Doyin Jibowu.

Iheme finished the year with 1,380 on 230 carries. He averaged 6.0 yards per carry for the season and 115 rushing yards per game. He produced seven 100-yard rushing games, with 189 as his season high against Pittsburg State. Iheme was one of 34 candidates considered for the Harlon Hill Trophy (Division II Player of the Year), finishing the season with 1,690 all-purpose yards. With 2,569 rushing yards in his career, Iheme finished seventh on the all-time rushing list at FHSU. He is eighth all-time in all-purpose yards with 3,458. Iheme was a unanimous All-MIAA First Team selection this season. Iheme was also a D2CCA All-Super Region 3 First Team selection.

Talley grabs his second Super Region 3 First Team honor on the offensive line after receiving the same distinction from D2CCA. Talley also received All-America honors from D2Football.com and was an All-MIAA First Team selection. Talley anchored the Fort Hays State line this year at right tackle, helping the team average 441.5 total yards of offense per game. He helped the Tiger offense average 257.3 passing yards per game and 184.2 rushing yards per game.

Shepherd adds another postseason honor to his collection after already receiving All-America status from three organizations. Shepherd was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. He finished the year with 38 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. In his three years at Fort Hays State, Shepherd amassed 168 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He tied as the top vote receiver in NCAA Division II for the Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation’s top small college defensive player representing almost 500 colleges and universities from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges. He will compete in both the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Jibowu nabs his second Super Region 3 First Team selection this year after receiving the same honor from D2CCA. Playing the bandit back position (safety-linebacker hybrid), Jibowu finished the year with 62 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, nine pass break-ups, and two forced fumbles. Over three seasons, Jibowu now has 219 tackles and seven interceptions in his career at FHSU.

Second team selections went to wide receiver Monterio Burchfield, kicker Brandon Brown, linebacker Jose Delgado, and punter Dante Brown.

Burchfield became the sixth receiver in Fort Hays State history to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark, finishing 2017 with a team-high 1,003 yards on 54 catches. He averaged 18.6 yards per catch and produced nine touchdowns. Burchfield adds this honor to his All-MIAA First Team selection this year.

Brandon Brown was the 2017 MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year. He finished the year with 94 kicking points to set a new single-season record at FHSU. It broke his own mark of 88 set the previous year. He was a perfect 49-of-49 on PAT attempts and went 15-of-21 on field goal attempts. Brown finished his two-year career at FHSU with 31 field goals and 89 PATs for a total of 182 kicking points, ranking fourth all-time in kick scoring at FHSU.

Delgado led the Tigers in tackles from his linebacker position in 2017. He finished with 107 tackles for the season, including 11 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Delgado now has 285 tackles in his career, along with 6.5 sacks. He is already seventh on the career tackles list for the NCAA era at Fort Hays State and will enter his senior year 76 shy of the record.

Dante Brown finished the year averaging 43.5 yards per punt, the second-highest average for a season in FHSU history. He ranked sixth in NCAA Division II in yards per punt, giving the MIAA three punters inside the top 10 nationally. Brown placed 18 kicks inside the 20-yard line this year, and 20 punts that went at least 50 yards. He was an All-MIAA Third Team selection.

Kamon Clayton was the lone third-team selection for the Tigers. The senior cornerback earned All-MIAA First Team status in 2017, finishing the year with 37 tackles and a team-leading 13 pass break-ups. He ranked fourth in the MIAA in pass break-ups.

2017 Don Hansen All-Super Region 3 Team

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team upset two D2WCA Top 25 teams on their way to a 3-1 day at the Midwest Duals on Saturday (Jan. 13). The Tigers were defeated by #17 Western State Colorado University in the first match of the day. They went on to upset #7 Colorado State-Pueblo, defeating Chadron State and finishing the day upsetting #19 Maryville University.

#17 Western State Colorado University 25 • Fort Hays State 18
The Tigers began the day taking on the Mountaineers in the first dual of the event. WSCU opened the dual with a forfeit victory to take a 6-0 lead after the first bout. Dy’Juan Carney was next in the 133-pound weight class and pinned Colby Duncan in 1:06 within the first period to even the match at 6-6. Third-ranked Brandon Ball did not let Jody Sandoval II score a point in a 12-0 major decision victory in the 141-pound weight class to give the Tigers their first lead of the match, 12-6.

Efe Osaghae continued the Tigers run with a 7-5 decision over Justin Chenoweth in the 149-pound weight class, extending the Tiger lead to 15-6. Western State began to come back in this one after Shawn Beiriger defeated Tiger Brody Lewis with a 13-5 major decision in the 157-pound weight class. Marty Verhaeghe was defeated by Michael Thelen in the 165-pound weight class by way of an 8-2 decision, giving the Mountaineers some life cutting into the Tigers lead as the dual was 15-13 in favor of FHSU after six bouts.

Micquille Robinson (5-2) and Micah Felton (6-4) dropped their matches by decision giving the Mountaineers their first lead since the opening bout as they lead the Tigers 19-15 after eight matches. Rakim Dean fell to sixth-ranked Konnor Schmidt in 6:43 in the 197-pound weight class. Dakota Gulley then used a 17-0 technical fall victory over Samuel DeSeriere in the last bout of the dual.

Fort Hays State 28 • #7 Colorado State University-Pueblo 18
In the second dual of the day, the Tigers faced the ThunderWolves of CSU-Pueblo. Conrad Cole and Dy’Juan Carney pinned their opponents to give the Tigers a quick 12-0 lead over the ThunderWolves. Third-ranked Brandon Ball dropped his third match of the season in a 10-8 sudden victory for Clay Archer, giving the ThunderWolves points on the board as the Tiger lead was diminished to 12-3 after the first three bouts.

Efe Osaghae picked up a 5-3 decision over Gavin Melendez in the 149-pound weight class and Brody Lewis was pinned by ninth-ranked Kyle Fantin in 1:53 into the 157-pound weight class bout. The ThunderWolves picked up another fall over the Tigers as second-ranked JaCobi Jones pinned Marty Verhaeghe in the third period. CSU-Pueblo tied the Tigers 15-15 after six matches.

The Tigers used a 14-6 major decision from Micquille Robinson, a pin from Micah Felton in 2:46 and an 8-1 decision from Rakim Dean to give them the lead for good. Cody Johnson of CSU-Pueblo defeated Dakota Gulley in the 285-pound bout with an 8-6 decision.

Fort Hays State 27 • Chadron State 9
The Tigers took a 15-0 lead right out of the gates in their third dual of the day against the Elmo Eagles after four bouts. Conrad Cole pinned Marcus Hutcherson in the second period. Dy’Juan Carney defeated Chance Karst with an 11-9 decision in the 133-pound bout. Third-ranked Brandon Ball rebounded from his earlier loss with an 8-4 decision over Brock Thumm in the 141-pound bout and Efe Osaghae used a 5-1 decision over Caleb Haskell in the 149-pound bout. Chadron State was able to get on the board by winning the next three weight classes (157, 165 & 174) by decisions to cut the Tiger lead to 15-9 after seven matches.

Micah Felton used a 6-4 decision over Devin Stork in the 184-pound bout to extend the Tigers lead to 18-9. Rakim Dean won via forfeiture in the 197-pound weight class. Dakota Gulley wrapped up the dual in the 285-pound bout with a 3-1 decision over Alexander Mai.

Fort Hays State 29 • Maryville University 12
The Tigers began their fourth and final dual of the day with a bang as they won the first three matches over the Saints. Conrad Cole pinned Kolby Smith in 3:33. Dy’Juan Carney used a 15-11 decision over Taylor Jokerst in the 133-pound bout. In the 141-pound weight class, third-ranked Brandon Ball defeated Michael Cook with an 8-2 decision. The Tigers 12-0 lead was short-lived as the Saints took the next four bouts to tie the match up 12-12. Micah Felton defeated Mladen Vasilev with a 15-0 technical fall in the 184-pound bout to give the Tigers the lead for good. Rakim Dean pinned Dustin Politte in 2:53 and Dakota Gulley won via forfeiture in the 285-pound bout.

The Tigers are back in action next Friday (Jan. 19) as they host #12 Nebraska-Kearney for a home MIAA dual with the Lopers in Gross Memorial Coliseum. The dual is set to begin at 7 p.m.

HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State wrestling team escaped Thursday evening’s dual against Adams State in the second half of the dual with a 24-19 victory over the visiting Grizzlies. The Tigers are now 1-2 in duals this season.

Conrad Cole led off for the Tigers in the 125-pound weight class. He faced Darek Huff. Huff came out swinging with a fall in the first period over Cole. The Grizzlies took a 6-0 lead right out of the gates. In the 133-pound bout, Dy’Juan Carney received the call for the Tigers as he took on Luis Gurulo. Gurulo used two takedowns and two escapes in the first period to give himself a 6-2 lead over Carney heading into the second frame. Carney was then pinned in the second period at the hands of Gurulo, giving the Grizzlies a 12-0 edge after two matches.

Third-ranked Brandon Ball put the Tigers on the board with an 8-3 decision over Dylan Udero in the 141-pound weight class. Ball moved to 18-2 on the season and cut the Grizzlies lead to 12-3 after three matches.

In the 149-pound bout, Efe Osaghae was set to take on Natrelle Demison. No one was able to get a point in the opening period. Demison escaped out of Osaghae’s grasp in the second period as Demison grabbed a 1-0 lead after two periods in the bout. Osaghae was penalized for stalling in the third period and Demison eventually closed the match with a 3-1 victory over Osaghae. Adams State led Fort Hays State 15-3 through the first four matches of the dual.

True freshman Brody Lewis faced Isaac Lopez in the 157-pound weight class. Lopez took a 2-0 lead into the second period after a takedown in the last 20 seconds of the first frame. Lewis cut the deficit to 2-1 with an escape, but Lopez immediately earned another takedown to go up 4-1. Lewis cut the deficit in half once more with an escape and trailed 4-2 after two periods. Lopez dominated Lewis in the third period and defeated Lewis with a 12-4 major decision and increasing the lead in the dual for Adams State to 19-3 halfway through the dual.

Halfway through the dual, the Tigers started getting things going for themselves as Marty Verhaeghe earned a 9-5 decision over Koery Windham in the 165-pound weight class. In the turning point of the match, Micquille Robinson took on Zach Wortkoetter in the 174-pound weight class. Robinson made quick use of Wortkoetter with a fall in the first period. After seven bouts, the Tigers found themselves only trailing 19-12.

Micah Felton took to the mat in the 184-pound weight class against Nevada Bencomo. Felton earned a 6-4 sudden victory after a few quick points in the third period. Rakim Dean was awarded a forfeit victory in the 197-pound weight class as Adams State kept that weight class open in the dual. After nine matches were completed the Tigers took a 21-19 leads of the Grizzlies for the first time all night.

Senior Dakota Gulley put the icing on the cake with a 4-2 decision over Rico Garcia in the 285-pound weight class. The Tigers earned the dual victory for the first time all season.

The Tigers are back in action after making a quick turnaround and head up north to Kearney, Neb. on Saturday (Jan 13) as they compete in the Midwest Duals against Western State, Colorado State-Pueblo, Chadron State and Maryville. The duals are set to commence at 9 a.m.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State had two players named to the D2Football.com All-America Team for the 2017 season. Senior defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd earned first team honors on defense, while senior offensive lineman Travis Talley earned honorable mention status.

This is the third All-America honor for Shepherd this season after garnering first team honors from the AFCA and second team honors from the Associated Press. Shepherd was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. Shepherd finished the year with 38 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. In his three years at Fort Hays State, Shepherd amassed 168 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He is an All-America selection for the second straight year after earning an honorable mention nod from the Don Hansen Football Committee last year. He is a three-time All-MIAA selection, earning first team this year, second team in 2016, and third team in 2015. He tied as the top vote receiver in NCAA Division II for the Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation’s top small college defensive player representing almost 500 colleges and universities from NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges.

Shepherd will compete in two prestigious all-star games in January. He will participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, played at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 20. That game will air nationally on Fox Sports 1. A week later on January 27, he will participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, Alabama. That game will air on NFL Network.

Talley adds this honor to his D2CCA All-Super Region 3 First Team selection and All-MIAA selection. Talley anchored the Fort Hays State offensive line this year at right tackle, helping the team average 441.5 total yards of offense per game. He helped the Tiger offense average 257.3 passing yards per game and 184.2 rushing yards per game. Talley was also an All-MIAA First Team selection. Talley gives Fort Hays State two All-America selections on the offensive line over the last three years, joining Matt Erbert who earned an honorable mention nod from the Don Hansen Football Committee in 2015.

Below is the 2017 D2Football.com All-America Team.

Offensive Player of the Year: Luis Perez, QB, Texas A&M Commerce
Defensive Player of the Year: Marcus Martin, DL, Slippery Rock
Coach of the Year: Pete Schinnick, West Florida

First Team
Offense
QB Luis Perez 6-3, 220, Sr. Texas A&M-Commerce
RB Marc Jones 5-11, 225, Jr. Gannon
RB Trent Cannon 5-11, 175, Sr. Virginia State
WR Marcus Johnson 6-2, 190, Sr. Slippery Rock
WR J.T. Luper 5-9, 175, Sr. Central Oklahoma
TE Nick Keizer 6-5, 255, Sr. Grand Valley
OL Alex Cappa 6-7, 305, Sr. Humboldt State
OL Jared Machorro 6-7, 280, Sr. Texas A&M-Commerce
OL Desmond Harrison 6-7, 288, Sr. West Georgia
OL Lavonte Hights 6-4, 300, Sr. Shepherd
OL Ty McCulley 6-5, 308, Sr. CSU-Pueblo
Defense
DL Marcus Martin 6-3, 245, Sr. Slippery Rock
DL Nathan Shepherd 6-5, 300, Sr. Fort Hays State
DL Zach Sieler 6-6, 275, Jr. Ferris State
DL Evan Perrizo 6-5, 275, Sr. Minnesota State
LB Dennis Gardeck 6-0, 205, Sr. Sioux Falls
LB Kevin Haynes 6-1, 228, Sr. Central Washington
LB Kyle Kitchens 6-2, 205, Sr. Catawba
DB Darius Williams 6-0, 180, Jr. CSU-Pueblo
DB Andrew Spencer 6-1, 210, Sr. Winona State
DB Marcus Jones 6-0, 178, Sr Northwest Missouri
DB Max Redfield 6-1, 205, Sr. IUP
Special
K Cole Tracy 5-11, 190, Sr. Assumption
P Garrett Lee 6-1, 185, Sr. Concord
AP Paul Revis 5-8, 155, Sr. Western Oregon

Second Team
Offense
QB Connor Jessop 6-5, 220, Sr. Shepherd
RB Kamal Cass 5-11, 189, Sr. Eastern New Mexico
RB Ja’Quan Gardner 5-7, 205, Sr. Humboldt State
WR Weston Carr 6-2, 200, So. Azusa Pacific
WR Jalen Tolliver 6-3, 210, Sr. Arkansas-Monticello
TE Seth Hebert 6-4, 225, Jr. Central Missouri
OL Corbin Feenstra 6-3, 287, Sr. CSU-Pueblo
OL Austin Fleer 6-8, 300, Sr. Colorado Mesa
OL Harley Vaughn 6-4, 293, Sr West Georgia
OL Ruben Holcomb 6-4, 317, Sr. Indianapolis
OL Andrew Alten 6-2, 308, Sr. Findlay
Defense
DL Myles Humphrey 6-3, 236, Sr. Shepherd
DL Blake Nelson 5-11, 230, Sr. Colorado Mesa
DL James Prater 6-1, 253, Jr. Ashland
DL Markus Jones 6-3, 255, Jr. Angelo State
LB Brandon Payer 6-4, 248, Jr. CSU-Pueblo
LB Luke Hrapchak 6-2, 240, Sr. California
LB Osband Thompson 6-0, 194, Sr. Tuskegee
DB Tavierre Thomas 5-11, 195, Sr. Ferris State
DB Chris Johnson 6-3, 200, Jr. North Alabama
DB Yusef Sterling-Lowe 6-2, 170, Sr. Texas A&M-Commerce
DB Andrew Benson 6-2, 205, Sr. Assumption
Special
K Casey Bednarski 6-1, 230, Jr. Minnesota State
P Justin Marcha 6-1, 200, Sr. Emporia State
AP Deonte Harris 5-6, 170, Jr. Assumption

Honorable Mention
Offense
QB Amir Hall 6-4, 180, Jr. Bowie State
QB Travis Tarnowski 5-11, 218, Sr. Ashland
QB Harry Satterwhite 6-1, 182, Jr. West Alabama
QB Brook Bolles 6-3, 190, Jr. Central Missouri
QB Grant Russell 6-4, 225, Sr. Ohio Dominican
QB Barrett Renner 6-3, 206, Jr. Southern Arkansas
RB Chris Robinson 5-9, 196, Sr. Delta State
RB Cameron Mayberry 5-11, 200, So. Colorado Mines
RB Walter Fletcher 5-10, 191, So. Edinboro
RB Nate Gunn 6-2, 215, So. Minnesota State
RB Deshawn Jones 5-9, 185, So. Missouri S&T
WR Jordan Thomas 6-0, 165, Sr. Texas A&M-Kingsville
WR Shane Zylstra 6-4, 215, So. Minnesota State
WR Keshaun Taylor 6-1, 180, Sr. Mars Hill
WR Donta Armstrong 5-10, 151, Sr. West Alabama
TE Tanner Hudson 6-5, 239, Sr. Southern Arkansas
TE D.J. Cornish 6-2, 260, So. Shepherd
TE Kyle Self 6-5, 229, Sr. Central Washington
OL Travis Talley 6-3, 285, Sr. Fort Hays State
OL Dontavius Blair 6-7, 294, Sr. West Alabama
OL Sam Lee 6-5, 300, Sr. Augustana
OL Jake Krause 6-3, 293, Sr. Bemidji State
OL Joseph Lacey 6-6, 328, Sr. LIU-Post
OL Gavin De Los Santos 6-3, 285, Sr. Harding
OL Victor Tamba 6-5, 335, Sr. Bowie State
OL Islam Sbeih 6-1, 298, Sr. Midwestern State
OL Ian Park 6-4, 315, Sr. Slippery Rock
OL Dominic Giunta 6-3, 284, Sr. Ashland
OL Taylor Nikithser 6-4, 300, Sr. California
OL Daniel Owens 6-3, 300, Sr. Wingate
Defense
DL John Williamson 6-3, 240, Jr. West Florida
DL Adonis Davis 6-3, 257, Jr. Florida Tech
DL Bo Banner 6-2, 241, Sr. Central Washington
DL Davondrick Lison 6-3, 225, Jr. Southern Arkansas
LB Terry Samuel 6-2, 193, Jr. West Alabama
LB Kirby Hora 6-2, 216, Jr. Augustana
LB Jalen Nelson 6-2, 230, Jr. Charleston
LB Austin Weltha 5-10, 220, Sr. McKendree
LB Tyler Morrissey 6-3, 256, Jr. West Chester
DB D.J. Olmstead 5-11, 185, Sr. Washburn
DB Sterling Hammond 6-1, 210, So. Virginia Union
DB Tevin Madison 5-10, 168, Sr. West Alabama
DB Marvin Conley 5-10, 190, Jr. West Florida
DB Tyler Hasty 6-0, 190, Jr. Central Washington
DB Glenn Harris 6-1, 180, Sr. Wayne State (Neb.)
DB Cua’ Rose 5-10, 183, Jr. Arkansas Tech
Special
P Cody Mikell 6-0, 215, Sr. Henderson State
AP Drew Harris 5-10, 185, Jr. Ouachita Baptist
AP Devontae Jackson 5-8, 171, Jr. West Georgia
AP B.J. Muckelvene 5-10, 170, So. Wingate

WACO, Texas – The American Football Coaches Association released its final Top 25 Poll for the 2017 season on Monday (Dec. 18). Fort Hays State remained in the top 10 in the final poll, taking the No. 8 spot in the poll at season’s end. The Tigers went into the NCAA Division II Playoffs undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the nation before finishing the year at 11-1.

The two teams from Super Region 3 that advanced further than FHSU in the NCAA Playoffs, Ferris State and Harding, jumped over FHSU in the final poll. Ferris State (11-2) was No. 10 going into the playoffs and finished at No. 5, while Harding (11-4) was unranked and made a run all the way to the national semifinals to finish at No. 6.

West Florida, the national runner-up and champion of Super Region 2, finished No. 2 in the final poll after entering the playoffs unranked. The Argonauts finished the year 11-4. Texas A&M-Commerce, this year’s Division II national champion, entered the playoffs at No. 8 in the nation and jumped all the way to No. 1. The Lions finished at 14-1 overall.

Fort Hays State saw its best season in program history come to a close in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs in a 31-21 loss at home to Ferris State. The Tigers recorded their best regular season ever by going 11-0 (topping the 7-0 season by the 1917 team that did not play a postseason), running the table in an 11-game MIAA schedule. That produced their first-ever MIAA Championship in football.

Six of the seven teams in the NCAA Playoffs from Super Region 3 finished in the Top 25 of the poll. Outside of Ferris State, Harding, and Fort Hays State, Ashland finished at No. 10, Indianapolis finished at No. 13, and Northwest Missouri State finished at No. 16.

Below is the final AFCA Division II Poll for 2017.

Rank	School (1st Votes)	Record	Pts.	Previous	Post-season Results	Head Coach
1.	Texas A&M-Commerce (33)	14-1	825	8	D. West Florida, 37-27, in national championship	Colby Carthel
2.	West Florida	11-4	774	NR	Lost to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce, 37-27, in national championship	Pete Shinnick
3.	Indiana (Pa.)	13-1	730	3	Lost to West Florida, 27-17, in semifinals	Paul Tortorella
4.	Minnesota St.	13-1	707	1	Lost to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce, 31-21, in quarterfinals	Todd Hoffner
5.	Ferris St. (Mich.)	11-2	612	10	Lost to Harding (Ark.), 16-14, in quarterfinals	Tony Annese
6.	Harding (Ark.)	11-4	574	NR	Lost to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce, 31-17, in semifinals	Paul Simmons
7.	Central Washington	11-1	566	7	Lost to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce, 34-31, in second round	Ian Shoemaker
8.	Fort Hays St. (Kan.)	11-1	533	4	Lost to No. 10 Ferris St. (Mich.), 31-21, in second round	Chris Brown
9.	Assumption (Mass.)	11-2	511	15	Lost to No. 3 Indiana (Pa.), 27-22, in quarterfinals	Bob Chesney
10.	Ashland (Ohio)	11-2	493	9	Lost to Harding (Ark.), 34-24, in second round	Lee Owens
11.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	10-1	472	5	Lost to No. 1 Minnesota St., 63-21, in second round	Bill Maskill
12.	West Alabama	10-3	456	17	Lost to West Florida, 28-21, in quarterfinals	Brett Gilliland
13.	Indianapolis (Ind.)	11-1	409	6	Lost to Harding (Ark.), 27-24, in first round	Bob Bartolomeo
14.	Shepherd (W.Va.)	10-1	396	2	Lost to Findlay (Ohio), 29-17, in first round	Monte Cater
15.	Winona St. (Minn.)	10-2	287	12	Lost to No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce, 20-6, in first round	Tom Sawyer
16.	Northwest Missouri St.	9-3	272	13	Lost to No. 9 Ashland (Ohio), 21-18, in first round	Rich Wright
17.	Colorado St.-Pueblo	9-3	238	20	Lost to No. 1 Minnesota St., 16-13 OT, in first round	John Wristen
18.	Virginia St.	10-1	233	11	Lost to West Georgia, 35-9, in first round	Reggie Barlow
19.	West Georgia	9-4	230	NR	Lost to West Florida, 17-14, in second round	David Dean
20.	Sioux Falls (S.D.)	9-3	229	18	Lost to No. 5 Midwestern St. (Texas), 24-20, in first round	Jon Anderson
21.	Delta St. (Miss.)	9-4	212	NR	Lost to No. 17 West Alabama, 27-20, in second round	Todd Cooley
22.	Findlay (Ohio)	10-3	186	NR	Lost to No. 15 Assumption (Mass.), 45-26, in second round	Rob Keys
23.	Bowie St. (Md.)	9-2	176	14	Lost to Delta St. (Miss.), 45-35, in first round	Damon Wilson
24.	Wingate (N.C.)	9-2	159	16	Lost to West Florida, 31-0, in first round	Joe Reich
25.	Shippensburg (Pa.)	10-2	101	19	Lost to West Chester (Pa.), 27-6, in first round	Mark Maciejewski

 

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.

Fort Hays State opens a three-game homestand on Saturday (Dec. 16) when it hosts Kansas Wesleyan at Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers are 7-3 overall, coming off a 1-1 road swing in MIAA play. FHSU is 7-3 overall, while Kansas Wesleyan enters at 7-5.

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This is the first meeting with Kansas Wesleyan in 10 years. The teams last met during the 2007-08 season when the Tigers claimed a 78-61 win in Hays. This is the 88th meeting all-time between the schools and FHSU has won the last 17 games, holding a 56-31 lead in series history. Kansas Wesleyan last victory over FHSU was back in the 1950-51 season.

Though this is a non-conference contest, FHSU is out to a 3-1 start in MIAA play. Last week the Tigers took their first conference loss of the season at Washburn on Wednesday by a score of 69-58, but then turned around Saturday and picked up a road win at Emporia State by the same score. All of Fort Hays State’s seven wins occurred at either Gross Memorial Coliseum, or White Auditorium in Emporia. FHSU opened the year with a neutral site win over Southwest Minnesota State in White Auditorium. The Tigers play their final three games of December at home, where they are 5-0 so far this year.

The Tigers continue to lead the MIAA in assists, averaging 17.1 per game. Kyler Kinnamon leads that charge at point guard, dishing out 5.1 per game. He has at least three helpers in every game this year with eight as his season high. He ranks third in the MIAA in assists per game, while also ranking second in steals per game (2.2).

Hadley Gillum is coming off his third double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 rebounds in the win at Emporia State this past Saturday. He leads the team at 18.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, which rank sixth and seventh in the MIAA respectively. Brady Werth is the only other Tiger averaging double figures in scoring right now at 11.1 points per game. In conference play, Gillum is the only Tiger averaging double figures at 22.8 points per game.

Jordan McNelly leads Kansas Wesleyan in scoring at 16.3 points per game, followed by Jamon Fulton at 11.3 per game. The Coyotes had a three-game win streak snapped on Tuesday at the hands of Friends University. KWU is 5-3 in its conference (KCAC) so far this season.

The Fort Hays State women’s basketball team routinely makes the trip to Kansas City, Mo. in March for the MIAA Tournament, but the Tigers will make their first regular season trip to KC in almost 13 years Saturday (Dec. 16) when they face off with Rockhurst University. First tip with the Hawks is set for 2 p.m. inside Mason-Halpin Field House.

*Due to the men’s home game starting at 4 p.m., Saturday’s contest will air on 94.3 KAYS in Hays.* Listen

The Tigers head into the weekend 8-2 on the season, while the Hawks are 6-3 so far this year. Fort Hays State will be looking for its second win in four days after defeating Tabor on Wednesday, 90-44, while the Hawks will return to the court for the first time in nine days after losing to Illinois-Springfield last Thursday, 63-38.

Despite the close proximity in relation to other Division II programs, Fort Hays State has only played Rockhurst six times before Saturday. The Tigers hold a 5-1 advantage in the series, including five-straight wins and a 2-1 edge in Kansas City. This is the first time that head coach Tony Hobson has faced off with the Hawks. The teams last played in 2006, with the Tigers pulling out a 79-77 home victory thanks to a season-high 27 points from Ashlee Gustin (1/24/06).

The Tigers have taken care of business in non-conference play in recent history, winning their last 22 regular season out of league games and 55 of their last 56. Coach Hobson is 66-5 in regular season non-conference contests at FHSU.

Limiting turnovers has been essential for the Tigers this season, with FHSU making 15 or fewer turnovers in all seven wins and making 16 or more miscues in both losses so far this year.

Rockhurst is coming off an 18-10 season a year ago, the most wins since the progam made the jump to the NCAA Division II in 1998-99. The Hawks have played a trio of MIAA opponents this season, defeating Northwest Missouri State (62-47) while losing to Washburn (64-62) and Missouri Western (52-39). Rockhurst is 5-0 at home this season. The Hawks average 68 points per game while limiting opponents to 59.4 points per contest. They are strong on the glass, ranking second in the GLVC with 41.7 rebounds per night. Madeline Ronshausen leads the team and ranks seventh in the GLVC with 15.2 points each night. Jillian Myers affect the game in many ways, leading the team with 4.6 assists, 1.7 blocks and 2.2 steals per game while ranking second with 11.7 points per contest and sitting third with 5.1 rebounds per outing.

Fort Hays State senior defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd received All-America Second Team honors from the Associated Press for 2017, landing on the organization’s Division II All-America Team. This is Shepherd’s second All-America selection this year after receiving first-team honors from the AFCA.

Shepherd was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, making it two straight years a player from FHSU earned the distinction. He helped FHSU to its first-ever MIAA Championship as the Tigers posted a perfect 11-0 record in regular season play. Shepherd finished the year with 38 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks, but constantly disrupted offenses by drawing double and triple teams on the line.

In his three years at Fort Hays State, Shepherd amassed 168 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He is an All-America selection for the second straight year after earning an honorable mention nod from the Don Hansen Football Committee last year. He is a three-time All-MIAA selection, earning first team this year, second team in 2016, and third team in 2015.

Shepherd will compete in two prestigious all-star games in January. He will participate in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, played at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on January 20. That game will air nationally on Fox Sports 1. A week later on January 27, he will participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, held in Mobile, Alabama. That game will air on NFL Network.

FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Luis Perez, senior, Texas A&M-Commerce.
Running backs — Marc Jones, senior, Gannon; Cameron Mayberry, sophomore, Colorado School of Mines.
Linemen — Alex Cappa, senior, Humboldt State; Lavonte Hights, senior, Shepherd; Dominic Giunta, senior, Ashland; Harley Vaughan, senior, West Georgia; Gavin De Los Santos, senior, Harding.
Tight end — D.J. Cornish, sophomore, Shepherd.
Receivers — J.T. Luper, senior, Central Oklahoma; Weston Carr, sophomore, Azusa Pacific.
All-purpose player — Devontae Jackson, junior, West Georgia.
Kicker — Casey Bednarski, junior, Minnesota State.

DEFENSE
Linemen — Marcus Martin, senior, Slippery Rock; Bo Banner, senior, Central Washington; Adonis Davis, junior, Florida Tech; Myles Humphrey, senior, Shepherd.
Linebacker — Kevin Haynes, senior, Central Washington; Terry Samuel, junior, West Alabama; Dennis Gardeck, senior, Sioux Falls.
Backs — Tyler Hasty, junior, Central Washington; Tavierre Thomas, senior, Ferris State; J.R. Stevens, sophomore, Indiana, Pennsylvania; Chris Johnson, junior, North Alabama.
Punter — Justin Marcha, senior, Emporia State.

SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Quarterback — Travis Tarnowski, senior, Ashland.
Running back — Walter Fletcher, sophomore, Edinboro; Deshawn Jones, sophomore, Missouri S&T.
Linemen — Andrew Alten, senior, Findlay; Jerron Seales, senior, Indiana, Pennsylvania; Jake Daugherty, senior, Ferris State; Daniel Owens, senior, Wingate; Jared Machorro, senior, Texas A&M-Commerce.
Tight end — Qua Boyd, junior, West Alabama.
Receivers — Marcus Johnson, senior, Slippery Rock; Jalen Tolliver, senior, Arkansas-Monticello.
All-purpose player — Ja’Quan Gardner, senior, Humboldt State.
Kicker — Cole Tracy, senior, Assumption.

DEFENSE
Linemen — Evan Perrizo, senior, Minnesota State; Zach Seiler, junior, Ferris State; Nathan Shepherd, senior, Fort Hays State; John Williamson, junior, West Florida.
Linebacker — Kyle Kitchens, senior, Catawba; Sam Blankenship, junior, Harding; Tyler Morrisey, junior, West Chester.
Backs — Tevin Madison, senior, West Alabama; Cua’ Rose, junior, Arkansas Tech; Aaron Ivory, senior, Findlay; Marvin Conley, junior, West Florida.
Punter — Zach Gaines, sophomore, West Alabama.