MIAA Media Relations

For the sixth time this season, Fort Hays State’s Kate Lehman is the MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week. The Newton senior averaged a double-double through two rivalry games this weekend, putting up 19.5 points and 11 rebounds per game in the Tigers wins at No. 2 Emporia State (65-55) and Washburn (62-58).

Lehman pushed her double-double streak to nine consecutive games against ESU, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds to help FHSU grab its first win in Emporia since the 1995-96 season. She narrowly missed her 10th straight in the game with Washburn, finishing with 21 points (her 10th 20-plus scoring effort of the year) and nine rebounds.

Trailing late in the game at WU, Lehman sunk back-to-back 10 foot jumpers to tie the game and came up with a key block on the defensive end in between to help FHSU secure the win (its first at Lee Arena since the 1994-95 season). She also moved into No. 3 on FHSU’s career scoring list, and is just three rebounds shy of 1,000 for her career (she is first all-time at FHSU in that category). Additionally, she swatted six shots for the week and hit 7-of-8 attempts from the free throw line.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Washburn came into their game with Fort Hays State as the worst 3-point shooting, but the Ichabods connect on 9-of-20 from beyond the arc and beat the Tigers 69-58 Saturday night at Lee Arena in Topeka. The Tigers, who had been shooting 48-percent from beyond the arc over the last four games, hit just 3-of-17.

The loss drops FHSU to 13-8 and 6-6 in the MIAA. Washburn improves to 11-12 and also 6-6 in conference play.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers never led and were only tied once at 11-11 following a Royce Williams 3-pointer. Washburn went on a 14-3 run to go up 11 and led by as many as 12 in the first half.

After pulling within eight at the half, Fort Hays State closed the gab to three on two different occasions but could get no closer the rest of way. Washburn answered with a 16-4 run to go up 16 with 7:33 to play. The Tigers score the next 10 capped by a Jeremy Wilson three-point play to get within four with 3:06 left but the Ichabods hit their free throws to keep FHSU at bay.

Achoki Moikobu led three Tigers in double-figures with 13 points. Royce Williams and Jeremy Wilson both add 12. Washburn was led by Kyle Wiggins who scores a game-high 20.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The sixth-ranked Fort Hays State outscore Washburn 10-2 over the final five minutes as they rally for a 62-58 win Saturday night at Lee Arena. The Lady Tigers win their 19th straight and snap an 11-game losing streak to Washburn in Topeka dating back to early December of 1994. FHSU is now 20-1 and remains atop the MIAA at 12-0. Washburn falls 14-6 and 6-6 in the conference.

Nicola Kacperska hit a foul-line jumper with two minutes to play to break a 58-58 tie. Chelsea Mason then hit two free throws following a Beth Bohuslavsky steal with two seconds left to seal the win.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Lady Tigers hit just two of their first 12 shots and fell behind by seven but closed the half on a 15-4 lead to go up eight. FHSU hit just 2-of-12 shots to open the second half which allowed the Ichabods to tie the game 41-41.

Kate Lehman scored six straight to help lead the Lady Tigers comeback and finished with 21 points. Chelsea Mason added 12 and Jill Faxon 11. Nicola Kacperska scores eight while dishing out five assists.

The Lady Tigers shoot 39-percent from the floor but hit 7-of-12 from beyond the arc and were 9-of-14 from the free throw line (7-9 in second half). FHSU only turned the ball over five times and win despite being outrebounded by 19.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State baseball has been picked 11th in the MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Friday (Jan. 30). Fort Hays State looks to put its first losing season in six years behind it and return to its winning ways in 2015 after finishing 12th in the conference standings last year and missing the conference tournament.

The Tigers tied for 11th in the preseason poll with Pittsburg State, each receiving 44 voting points. The Tigers enter their fifth year under head coach Steve Johnson, who has guided the program to 97 wins over four years.

The entire starting pitching rotation (Steven Federau, Tyler Patty, Joe Mapes and Austin Unrein) returns in 2015, but looking to make an impact immediately will be junior college transfers Justin Hersch (Barton Community College) and Brad Spires (Garden City Community College). Hersch is a left-hander that started all 13 games he appeared on the mound last year, leading the Cougars in complete games with three. He posted a record of 5-2 with a 3.43 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and a .235 opponent batting average in 65.2 innings of work. Spires played two seasons for the Broncbusters. Two years ago he appeared in 18 games on the mound, making 13 starts, while posting a record of 8-3 with a 5.13 ERA. He struck out a team-high 68 batters in 80.2 innings pitched in 2013. Unrein may move into a late relief role on the team with the addition of arms to the rotation.

The Tigers have brought in a few transfers and a pair of true freshmen to strengthen their bullpen. FHSU looks to improve on a 7.76 team ERA from last year.

Six individuals that saw regular time in the starting lineup return for the Tigers, which includes All-Central Region Cooper Langley. As the team’s designated hitter the majority of the time last year, he hit .335 with 19 doubles, five home runs, and 30 RBI. Kevin Czarnecki joins Langley as returning All-MIAA selections. Czarnecki started in three different positions last year, but played third base the majority of the time. He hit .350 with eight home runs, eight doubles, and 43 RBI. Gus Strunk, Nick Hammeke and Gabe Cook should sure up the rest of the infield as Langley will likely start at first base this year.

Alex Kign and Casey Sedbrook have starting experience for the Tigers in the outfield. King had a great start to the 2014 season before suffering a season-ending injury. When not pitching, Unrein adds pop to the lineup with his bat. A few transfers will also look to push their way into the lineup.

Fort Hays State opens its season on Friday, February 13 at home, hosting Colorado Mines. The following day the Tigers take on Regis before playing Colorado Mines again on Sunday. Central Oklahoma will also be in town for the weekend, playing two against Regis and one against Colorado Mines, so there will be two games at Larks Park each of the three days on opening weekend.

Below is the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll for 2015….

2015 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (10) 164
2. Central Missouri (2) 155
3. Central Oklahoma (2) 143
4. Missouri Western 132
5. Nebraska-Kearney 121
6. Missouri Southern 97
7. Southwest Baptist 88
8. Northeastern State 87
9. Washburn 75
10. Lindenwood 70
T11. Fort Hays State 44
T11. Pittsburg State 44
13. Northwest Missouri 41
14. Lincoln 13

MIAA Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Emporia State has been selected by the league’s coaches to finish atop the standings at the end of the season. The Hornets claimed 12 of the possible 14 fist place votes after finishing atop the league standings last season.

Central Oklahoma claimed the other two first place votes as they are picked to finish second. Missouri Western, who won the MIAA Tournament last season, is picked to finish in third place overall. Behind the Griffons are the Central Missouri Jennies who are selected to finish fourth overall.

Just six points behind UCM in the poll is Fort Hays State who is selected in the fifth slot. They come in ahead of Northeastern State who is picked sixth after making it to the MIAA Tournament Championship last season.

In seventh place is Pittsburg State coming in just one point behind the RiverHawks in the poll. Just six points behind PSU is Northwest Missouri who is picked to finish eighth overall. Lindenwood has been picked to finish ninth by the coaches with Washburn earning the tenth spot in the poll.

The 11th overall pick is Missouri Southern coming in sixth points ahead of 12th place pick Nebraska-Kearney. Southwest Baptist is picked to finish in 13th place with Lincoln selected to finish 14th overall.

Most teams will take to the field starting Feb. 6 with league play scheduled for a March 6-7 kickoff.

2015 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (12) 168
2. Central Oklahoma (2) 156
3. Missouri Western 147
4. Central Missouri 119
5. Fort Hays State 113
6. Northeastern State 101
7. Pittsburg State 100
8. Northwest Missouri 94
9. Lindenwood 79
10. Washburn 67
11. Missouri Southern 46
12. Nebraska-Kearney 40
13. Southwest Baptist 31
14. Lincoln 13

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State senior baseball player Cooper Langley has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-Central Region Team for the 2015 season.

Langley was selected to the second team as a designated hitter.

Langley will most likely see the majority of his time as the Tigers’ first baseman this year, after splitting time between designated hitter and first base last year.

He finished 2014 with a .335 batting average with a team-best 24 extra-base hits (19 doubles, 5 home runs).

He added 30 RBI and scored 26 runs. Following the 2014 season, he was named to the Daktronics and NCBWA All-Central Region Second Teams.

The baseball season is rapidly nearing as opening day is February 13, when FHSU hosts Colorado Mines at Larks Park in Hays.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State Wrestling stayed put at No. 15 in the latest version of the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Top 20. The rankings, released Wednesday (Jan. 28) by the organization, saw FHSU earn 51 points compared to 39 points in the previous version.

FHSU (6-6, 2-2 MIAA) wrestled in three events last weekend, rolling over Newman, 41-8, in a conference dual before a comeback effort to then-No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney fell short in a 21-14 loss. The Tigers closed out the week with a first place finish and three individual champions at the Kansas Cup.

Josh Rodriguez (174), Jon Inman (184) and Trey Page (285) stayed in the individual rankings, where they’ve been all season. Rodriguez (14-4 this season) was eighth for the second week in a row while Inman (28-5 on the year) moved up to No. 7 in his weight class. Page pushed his season record to 36-2 on the year and rose one spot to No. 5 at heavyweight.

The Tigers return to the mat on Feb. 4, taking on Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.

The complete Division II Wrestling Coaches Association rankings for Jan. 28 are below…

Others receiving votes: Central Missouri, Coker (S.C.), Findlay (Ohio), Minnesota State-Mankato, San Francisco State (Calif.), Shorter (Ga.), Tiffin (Ohio).

125 Pounds
1. T.J. North, Augustana (S.D.)
2. Matt Turek, Gannon (Pa.)
3. Gerald Huff, Adams State (Colo.)
4. Willie Bohince, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
5. Garrett Evans, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
6. Marco Tamayo, Lindenwood (Mo.)
7. DeWayne Roberts, Minnesota State-Mankato
8. Josh Kieffer, Indianapolis (Ind.)

133 Pounds
1. Daniel DeShazer, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Michael Labry, Ashland (Ohio)
3. Nate Rodriguez, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
4. Zak Hale, Anderson (S.C.)
5. Dustin Reed, Central Oklahoma
6. Mike Rhone, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
7. Justin Forrest, Central Missouri
8. Blake Bosch, Minnesota State-Moorhead

141 Pounds
1. Josh Myers, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
2. Daniel Ownbey, North Carolina-Pembroke
3. Maurice Miller, Notre Dame (Ohio)
4. Jeremiah Peterson, Augustana (S.D.)
5. Kyle Webb, Lindenwood (Mo.)
6. Sam Hanau, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
7. Darren Wynn, McKendree (Ill.)
8. Peter Cunningham, California Baptist

149 Pounds
1. Keenan Hagerty, Maryville (Mo.)
2. Frank Cagnina, Central Missouri
3. Terrel Wilbourn, Lindenwood (Mo.)
4. Nick Goebel, Findlay (Ohio)
5. Jeremy Landowski, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
6. Destin McCauley, Nebraska-Kearney
7. Josh Howk, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
8. Zach Vargo, Lake Erie (Ohio)

157 Pounds
1. Jon Rivera, Notre Dame (Ohio)
2. Clint Poster, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
3. James Martinez, Colorado Mesa
4. Chase White, Nebraska Kearney
5. Adam Cooling, Minnesota State-Mankato
6. Jordan Rinken, Upper Iowa
7. Francis Mizia, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
8. Greg Hegerty, Maryville (Mo.)

165 Pounds
1. Chris Watson, Central Oklahoma
2. Dimitri Willis, Maryville (Mo.)
3. Gabe Fogarty, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
4. Nick Haferkamp, McKendree (Ill.)
5. Angelo Bortoluzzi, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
6. Tyler Reinhart, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Pa.)
7. Nick Fishback, Wisconsin-Parkside
8. Colbey Vance, Upper Iowa

174 Pounds
1. Joey Davis, Notre Dame (Ohio)
2. Elliot Copeland, Western State (Colo.)
3. Zeb Wahle, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Terrence Zaleski, North Carolina-Pembroke
5. Luke Cramer, Ashland (Ohio)
6. August Mizia, Mercyhurst (Pa.)
7. Payne Hatter, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
8. Josh Rodriguez, Fort Hays State (Kan.)

184 Pounds
1. Garrett Lineberger, Notre Dame (Ohio)
2. Dallas Smith, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
3. Nick Burghardt, Maryville (Mo.)
4. Terrence Smith, Shorter (Ga.)
5. Kyle Piatt, Western State (Colo.)
6. Blake Sorensen, Upper Iowa
7. Jon Inman, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
8. Jacob Waste, California Baptist

197 Pounds
1. Romero Cotton, Nebraska-Kearney
2. Julian Smith, McKendree (Ill.)
3. Kenny Breaux, Lindenwood (Mo.)
4. Ryan Beltz, Maryville (Mo.)
5. Jayd Docken, Augustana (S.D.)
6. Sam Mangum, Western State (Colo.)
7. Huston Evans, Newberry (S.C.)
8. Andrew Reggi, San Francisco State (Calif.)

285 Pounds
1. Ziad Haddad, Kutztown (Pa.)
2. Garrett Gray, Tiffin (Ohio)
3. Austin Goergen, St. Cloud State (Minn.)
4. Donnell Walker, Maryville (Mo.)
5. Trey Page, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
6. Logan Hopp, Upper Iowa
7. Chris Giddens, North Carolina-Pembroke
8. Jordan Passehl, Colorado Mesa

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State held Emporia State to a season-low points, defeating the Hornets 66-44 Wednesday night at White Auditorium. The Tigers have won four of their last five and improve to 13-7 overall and 6-5 in the MIAA. The Hornets lose their fourth straight and are now 9-11 overall and 2-9 in conference play.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Jake Stoppel Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers took control in the first half, using an 11-0 run to go up seven. After ESU closed the gap to three, FHSU responds with a 17-3 run to go up 17 and were up as many as 24 in the second half.

James Fleming led the Tigers with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jake Stoppel added 10 while Achoki Moikobu and Jared Tadlock both add nine.

The Tigers shoot 53-percent including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc while holding ESU to 33-percent shooting.

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers never trailed, building three different 20-point leads then hold off No. 2 Emporia State 65-55. It’s FHSU’s second consecutive win over a top-five team and their first ever road win over a nationally ranked team.

The 6th-ranked Lady Tigers have now won 18 straight and improve to 19-1 overall and 11-0 in the MIAA. The Lady Hornets, who see their 23-game win streak snapped, fall to 16-2 overall and 9-2 in the conference.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

FHSU went on a 24-6 first half run in building a 20-point lead. ESU scored the final six points of the half to close to within 14 at the break. A 19-6 Lady Hornet run closed the gap to seven but Jill Faxon and Chelsea Mason hit back-to-back 3-pointers to push the lead back to double-figures.

Kate Lehman led FHSU with 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. Mason adds 14 and Faxon 12. ESU was led by Marissa Quick who scored 14 and grabbed 14 rebounds.

FHSU Sports Information

Fort Hays State men’s track and field leaped into the USTFCCCA Division II Indoor Track and Field Computer Rankings, released on Tuesday, January 27. The Tigers are ranked No. 24 in the first set of indoor rankings for the 2015 season. The Tigers are one of six men’s programs from the MIAA referenced in the first poll of the season.

The Tigers join Central Missouri (No. 7), Emporia State (No. 12), Missouri Southern (No. 15), Pittsburg State (No. 22), and Nebraska-Kearney (No. 23) in the Top 25.

Fort Hays State has four individuals on the men’s side that have posted NCAA provisional qualifying marks. This includes Rodrigo Alves in the 60-meter dash, Brady Tien in the pole vault, Cory Keehn in the 3000-meter run, and Cory Post in the heptathlon. Both Tien and Keehn rank within the top five on the performance list in their respective events.

Men’s Indoor Track & Field National Team Computer Rankings (Top 25)
2015 Week #1 — January 27
Next ranking: February 3

Rank School Points Conference Head Coach (Yr) Last Week
1 Minnesota State 155.25 NSIC Jim Dilling (2nd) 15
2 Findlay 138.91 GLIAC Marc Arce (27th) 7
3 Ashland 120.71 GLIAC Jud Logan (12th) 2
4 Grand Valley State 111.98 GLIAC Jerry Baltes (16th) 3
5 Colorado Mines 97.46 RMAC Matt Sparks (2nd) 20
6 Tiffin 88.33 GLIAC Jeremy Croy (15th) 13
7 Central Missouri 79.26 MIAA Kirk Pedersen (19th)/Kip Janvrin (17th) 21
8 Lewis 78.69 GLVC Dana Schwarting (10th) 16
9 Western State 77.12 RMAC Chris Bradford (6th) 10
10 Shippensburg 74.06 PSAC Dave Osanitsch (10th) 8
11 Saint Augustine’s 65.73 CIAA George Williams (39th) 4
12 Emporia State 55.84 MIAA Steve Blocker (4th) 32
13 American International 54.64 Northeast-10 Leo Mayo (9th) 27
14 Franklin Pierce 52.56 Northeast-10 Zach Emerson (3rd) 76
15 Missouri Southern 50.29 MIAA Bryan Schiding (2nd) 6
16 Southern Connecticut 49.38 Northeast-10 John Wallin (5th) 14
17 Shorter 48.82 Gulf South Scott Byrd (8th) NR
18 Simon Fraser 48.09 GNAC Brit Townsend (15th) 78
19 Montana St.-Billings 38.87 GNAC Dave Coppock (7th) 89
20 Limestone 38.32 Conf. Carolinas Joseph Wassink (1st) 91
21 Texas A&M-Kingsville 37.79 Lone Star Ryan Dall (7th) 9
22 Pittsburg State 36.61 MIAA Russ Jewett (27th) 12
23 Neb.-Kearney 35.83 MIAA Brady Bonsall (7th) 11
24 Fort Hays State 34.51 MIAA Dennis Weber (22nd) 42
25 Black Hills State 33.91 RMAC Seth Mischke (4th) 55
Dropped out: No. 1 Adams State, No. 5 Southern Indiana, No. 17 Virginia State, No. 18 Sioux Falls, No. 19 Academy of Art, No. 22 West Texas A&M, No. 23 East Stroudsburg, No. 24 Mount Olive, No. 25 Lake Erie

The Fort Hays State Lady Tigers jump 11 spots to No. 6 in the latest USA Today/WBCA top-25 poll. It’s the highest the Lady Tigers have ever been ranked since moving to NCAA II in the early 1990’s and the second time they’ve cracked the top-10. FHSU was reached No. 10 in December of 2012.

Emporia State stays at No. 2 while Pittsburg State drops to No. 9 following their loss at Fort Hays State Saturday. Washburn, Missouri Southern and Central Missouri are still receiving votes.

Dropped Out: California University of Pennsylvania (PA).

Others receiving votes: Union University (Tenn.) 74; Midwestern State University (Texas) 53; California University of Pennsylvania (Pa.) 43; Cedarville University (Ohio) 38; California State Polytechnic University – Pomona 29; University of New Haven (Conn.) 24; University of District of Columbia 23; University of Colorado – Colorado Springs 20; Lander University (S.C.) 19; Hawaii Pacific University 16; Washburn University (Kan.) 15; Grand Valley State University (Mich.) 10; Lincoln University (Pa.) 9; Minnesota State University – Mankato 9; California State University – Dominguez Hills 7; Johnson C Smith University 7; California State University – San Bernardino 6; Colorado Mesa University 6; University of West Florida 6; California Baptist University 4; Missouri Southern State University 4; New York Institute of Technology 4; Gannon University (Pa.) 1; University of Central Missouri 1.