FHSU Athletics

Initially taking second place in the final standings released on Sunday (Jan. 25), Fort Hays State has been declared the champion of the annual Kansas Cup due to a scoring error made at the tournament. What was first recorded as a 7-0 decision, Adam Ludwin’s semifinal match at 125 pounds actually resulted in an injury default with his opponent unable to finish the match, which gives Fort Hays State two more points in the team standings. Bethany was named the team champion with 112.5 points initially, but Fort Hays State’s 111 points becomes 113 with the two additional bonus points for an injury default, giving the Tigers the championship upon further review.

The error was brought to the attention of head coach Chas Thompsonby members of his team. Thompson went through the proper channels on Sunday and Monday to have the scoring error reviewed. After confirmation that indeed the semifinal match ended as an injury default, it gave Fort Hays State the two bonus points necessary to leap Bethany College in the standings.

FHSU Athletics

Fort Hays State senior Kate Lehman was tabbed the MIAA Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the fifth time this season on Monday (Jan. 26). Lehman reached a pair of career milestones in the 19-point win over No. 4 ranked Pittsburg State in Hays on Saturday.

Lehman had a historical week for the Tigers, moving into first all-time on the career rebounding list at FHSU, passing All-American Annette Wiles (961) for the top spot on the list. Lehman now has 975 rebounds for her career after grabbing 26 boards over two games last week. Additionally, Lehman averaged a double-double for the week with 19.5 points and 13.0 rebounds per game, adding eight blocks, helping 17th-ranked Fort Hays State to a 34-point win over South Dakota Mines and a 19-point win over fourth-ranked Pittsburg State in Hays. Lehman now has reeled off seven consecutive double-doubles, reaching her 50th career double-double on Saturday in the process.

For the season, she continues to average a double-double of 20.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, adding 4.6 blocked shots per contest.

FHSU Athletics

No. 15 Fort Hays State had three individual champions and scored 111 team points on its way to a second place finish at the Kansas Cup on Sunday (Jan. 25) in Baldwin City, Kan.

FHSU’s Adam Ludwin (125),  Bradley Little (156) and Trey Page (285) all claimed titles in their respective weight classes, while Anthony Carlderon was second at 133 pounds.

Ludwin went 3-0 on the day with a major decision (9-1) in the first round before two decisions in the semifinals and finals.  Ludwin’s final match saw him knock off Dustin Reed (Newman), 3-2, in a rematch from earlier this season (that Reed won).

Little was also 3-0, starting the day with a bye before three straight decisions led him to the title.  In the finals, Little picked up a 13-8 decision over Alex Rice of Labette.

Page was arguably the most dominant wrestler for FHSU on the day, finishing 4-0 with two technical falls and two pins.  Page started the day with a 16-0 tech fall over Matthew Holt (Bethany) before putting together two straight pins.  His first pin came in just 1:02 against Jacob LaRue (Benedictine) and Page reached the finals with a 6:18 win by fall over Richard Black III.  In the finals, Page gave up just one escape en route to a 16-1 technical fall over Beau Bennett (Baker).

In the team scoring, FHSU held a narrow lead for much of the day before a late push from Bethany gave the Swedes the team title by a close 1.5 points (112.5 points total).  Neosho was third in the standings with 104 points, while Baker (93 points) and Newman (70 points) rounded out the Top 5.

The Tigers are idle until Feb. 4, when they travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to take on Central Missouri in a conference dual.

Complete team score and individual results for the Kansas Cup are below…

Team Score
1. Bethany 112.5
2. Fort Hays State 111
3. Neosho 104
4. Baker 93
5. Newman 70
6. Labette 65.5
7. Pratt 50
8. Benedictine 47
9. Colby 35.5
10. Ottawa 31
11. NW Kansas Tech 29

125 – Adam Ludwin (First Place)
Quarterfinals – Ludwin wins by major decision (9-1) over Quinton Harrison (Bethany)
Semifinals – Ludwin wins by decision (7-0) over Hunter Price (Colby)
First Place Match – Ludwin wins by decision (3-2) over Dustin Reed (Newman)

133 – Anthony Calderon (Second Place)
Quarterfinals – Calderon wins by major decision (15-7) over Beau Rocha (NW Kansas Tech)
Semifinals – Calderon wins by decision (4-3) over Bryce Shoemaker (Baker)
First Place Match – Austin Hood (Neosho) wins by decision (11-4) over Calderon

141 – Tyler Dryden (Fifth Place)
Round 1 – Dryden receives a bye
Quarterfinals – Tyler Hinton (Ottawa) wins by fall (3:56) over Dryden
Cons. Round 2 – Dryden wins by fall (5:52) over Tyler Mann (Benedictine)
Cons. Round 3 – Dryden wins by fall (1:07) over Byron Vaughn (Colby)
Cons. Semifinals – Juan Rivera (Baker) wins by decision (8-5) over Dryden
Fifth Place Match – Dryden wins by fall (2:14) over Alex Shea (Neosho)

149 – Jacob Kay
Round 1 – Kay receives a bye
Quarterfinals – Courtney Strauss (Bethany) wins by fall (6:19) over Kay
Cons. Round 2 – Kaleb Mitchel (Benedictine) wins by major decision (9-1) over Kay

157 – Bradley Little (First  Place)
Round 1 – Little receives a bye
Quarterfinals – Little wins by decision (4-1) over Jonathan Blackwell (Bethany)
Semifinals – Little wins by decision (3-1) over Nick Haugen (Baker)
First Place Match – Little wins by decision (13-8) over Alex Rice (Labette)

165 – Kregg Clarke (Fourth Place)
Round 1 – Clarke receives a bye
Quarterfinals – Tanner Ogden (Bethany) win by decision (7-5) over Clarke
Cons. Round 2 – Clarke receives a bye
Cons. Round 3 – Clarke wins by fall (2:44) over Syed Ali (Pratt)
Cons. Semifinals – Clarke wins by decision (12-6) over Colton Looper (Neosho)
Third Place Match – Derrick Gates (Labette) wins by fall (2:20) over Clarke

174 – Nathan Shipley (Fifth Place)
Round 1 – Shipley wins by decision (7-3) over Michael Kubik (Newman)
Quarterfinals – Shipley wins by major decision (18-6) over Darick Jones (Neosho)
Semifinals – Bryant Guillen (Baker) wins by decision (8-2) over Shipley
Cons. Semifinals – Gabe Suthoff (Benedictine) wins by major decision (14-6) over Shipley
Fifth Place Match – Shipley wins by decision (17-10) over Darick Jones (Neosho)

184 – Ethan Dale (Sixth Place)
Round 1 – Dale receives a bye
Quartfinals – Dale wins by major decision (10-1) over Joshua Ortiz (Baker)
Semifinals – Micah Felton (Pratt) wins by fall (6:50) over Dale
Cons. Semfinals – Samuel Reyes (Neosho) wins by decision (11-9) over Dale
Fifth Place Match – Trevor Whittaker (Bethany) wins by fall (6:28) over Dale

197 – Cash Drylie (Sixth Place)
Quarterfinals – Kasey Crump (Ottawa) wins by decision (5-4) over Drylie
Cons. Round 1 – Drylie wins by fall (2:49) over Dustin Turner (Baker)
Cons. Semifinals – Stephen Loosbrock (Benedictine) wins by decision (6-1) over Drylie
Fifth Place Match – Dillon Archer (Neosho) wins by decision (11-5) over Drylie

285 – Trey Page (First Place)
Round 1 – Page wins by tech fall (16-0) over Matthew Holt (Bethany)
Quarterfinals – Page wins by fall (1:02) over Jacob LaRue (Benedictine)
Semifinals – Page wins by fall (6:18) over Richard Black III (Neosho)
First Place Match – Page wins by tech fall (16-1) over Beau Bennett (Baker)

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Pittsburg State outscores Fort Hays State 16-7 over the final six minutes as they rally for a 69-64 win in front of 3,241 Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The loss ends the Tigers four-game win streak and drops them to 12-7 overall and 5-5 in the MIAA. The Gorillas improve to 11-7 and 7-3 in conference play.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

 

FHSU hit their first four 3-pointers and lead early 12-2 but the Gorillas outscore them 24-8 over the next 11 minutes to go up by six and led by four, 34-30 at the half.

Tom Gabric converted a conventional three-point play to put the Tigers up 57-53 with 6:04 left but Pitt responds by going on a 10-2 run to take a four-point lead with 2:39 left.

Royce Williams hit a 3-pointer to pull FHSU within one with less than 30 seconds to play but the Gorillas hit their final six free throws to seal the win.

Williams led the Tigers with 18 points.

 

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State scores the first eight points and never trailed as the knock off No. 4 Pittsburg State 62-43 in front of 2,914 Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The Lady Tigers have now won 17-straight and improve to 18-1 and lead the MIAA. Pitt State falls to 17-3 and 7-2 in the MIAA.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

 

 

Kate Lehman scores 21 and grabs 14 rebounds to lead the Lady Tigers. Lehman is now FHSU’s all-time leader in rebounds with 975. She also moves within three points of tying Petrece Faulkner for third in career points.

Jill Faxon came off the bench to score 16 while Keriann Shaw adds 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Pitt State was led by All-American Lizzy Jeronimus who scores 13 on 4-of-14 shooting.

FHSU shoots 46-percent from the floor including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Gorillas were held to a season low 28-percent. The 43 points were also a season-low.

It’s the second straight year the Lady Tigers have defeated a top-five team at home. They knocked off a third-ranked Emporia State team last season.

The Lady Tigers take on the Hornets Wednesday night in Emporia.

FHSU Athletics

No. 15 Fort Hays State rallied late but couldn’t complete the comeback win against No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney, falling to its rival on the road, 21-14 on Friday (Jan. 23).

FHSU (6-6, 2-2 MIAA) won four matches in the dual (including the final three) but couldn’t overcome the Lopers’ efforts in the middle weights.  FHSU had two bonus points in the match with two major decisions while UNK scored three bonus points (technical fall and major decision).

Down 6-0 after the first two matches, FHSU’s Noah Killip cut the deficit to three (6-3) over battling towards a 4-1 decision over Keith Surber.

UNK, though, ran off four straight wins from there – claiming a technical fall at 149 pounds, a major decision at 165 and decisions at 157 and 174 pounds to take a 21-3 lead.

The Tigers rebounded in the final three matches, however, as eighth-ranked Jon Inman (184) and Cash Drylie (197) turned in major decisions, followed by No. 6 Trey Page’s decision at 285 pounds.

Inman shut out Casey Powell (UNK) for a 12-0 victory, and Drylie’s 10-2 decision helped FHSU bring the Lopers’ lead back to 10 (21-11).  It was too little, too late however for FHSU, despite Page’s 3-2 decision over Ivan DeLeon to end the match at 21-14.

FHSU heads to Baldwin City, Kan., this Sunday (Jan. 25) for the Kansas Cup tournament. Last season, FHSU placed second at the Kansas Cup and won four individual titles.

Complete results from the dual are below…

125 – Connor Bolling (UNK) wins by decision (7-4) over Adam Ludwin (FHSU) … Lopers lead, 3-0
133 – No. 1 Daniel DeShazer (UNK) wins by decision (5-3) over Anthony Calderon (FHSU) … Lopers lead, 6-0
141 – Noah Killip (FHSU) wins by decision (4-1) over Keith Surber (UNK) … Lopers lead, 6-3
149 – No. 7 Destin McCauley (UNK) wins by technical fall (17-2, 2:58) over Matt Ziegler… Lopers lead, 11-3
157 – Leandro Arias (UNK) wins by decision (4-1) over Bradley Little… Lopers lead, 14-3
165 – Devin Aguirre (UNK) wins by major decision (14-2) over Kregg Clarke (FHSU) … Lopers lead, 18-3
174 – Chace Bila (UNK) wins by decision (12-6) over Nathan Shipley (FHSU) … Lopers lead, 21-3
184 – No. 8 Jon Inman (FHSU) wins by major decision (12-0) over Casey Powell (UNK) … Lopers lead, 21-7
197 – Cash Drylie (FHSU) wins by major decision (10-2) over Brady Raik (UNK)… Lopers lead, 21-11
285 – No. 6 Trey Page (FHSU) wins by decision (3-2) over Ivan DeLeon (UNK) … Lopers win, 21-14

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State shoots 76-percent and scores 59 points in the second half as they run their win streak four with a 91-62 victory over South Dakota School 91-62 Thursday night in front of 2,877 Gross Coliseum. The Tigers improve to 12-6. The Hardrockers see their three-game win streak snapped and are now 7-14.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

 

James Fleming Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

 

The Tigers led by three at the half then pushed that lead to eight with an 11-2 run but the Hardrockers answer with a 10-2 run to tie the game 39-39 with 15:44 to play. FHSU answers with a 13-0 run keyed by 3-pointers from Royce Williams and Achoki Moikobu. Williams ties his career-high 18 points. James Flemming also scores 18 to match his season high. Tom Gabric adds 12.

 

By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post

Fort Hays State went on a 31-5 run spanning the first and second halves as they win their 16th straight, 71-37 over South Dakota Mines Thursday night at Gross Coliseum. The 17th-ranked Lady Tigers are now 17-1 on the season. The Lady Hardrockers seed their two-game win streak end and fall to 8-11.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

 

Game Highlights

 

FHSU never trailed but saw their lead trimmed to three with three minutes to play in the first half but responded with a 12-1 run to lead by 14 at the half. They open the second half with a 19-4 run to go up by 29 and led by as many as 35.

Kate Lehman led the way with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Lehman is now tied with Annette Wiles for the FHSU career record with 961 rebounds. Jill Faxon went 4-for-5 from beyond the arc and scores 16.

The Lady Tigers close out their four-game homestand Saturday against No. 4 Pittsburg State at 2pm.

FHSU Athletics

No. 15 Fort Hays State picked up three falls, two technical falls and 17 bonus points on the way to a 41-8 victory over Newman on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

The Tigers (6-5, 2-1 MIAA) secured the conference victory behind seven individual match wins, including falls from Bradley Little (157), Jon Inman (184) and Cash Drylie (197). Noah Killip (141) and Trey Page (285) had technical falls while Kregg Clarke picked up a major decision in the win. FHSU closed the dual with six consecutive victories.

After an open weight at 125 pounds gave FHSU a 6-0 lead in the match, Newman cut the lead to three (6-3) after Dustin Reed (NU) won by decision, 5-2, against Anthony Calderon at 133 pounds.

Killip (141) dominated in his bout with Travis Rodenbaugh to give FHSU an 11-3 lead, picking a 16-1 technical fall. Scoreless through the first, Killip exploded in the second period to take a 10-1 lead. Killip recorded two take downs, two two-point near-falls and a stalling point in the second. After a takedown to start the third, Killip turned Rodenbaugh for three near-fall points as time expired – recording the technical fall in seven minutes with a riding time point.

Newman answered with a technical fall of its own at 149 pounds, as Taylor Mies (NU) won, 18-2, in 3:40 over Matt Ziegler to bring the Tigers’ lead back to three (11-8).

At 157 pounds, three first period takedowns helped Bradley Little take control early against Forlanda Parker (NU), though he wouldn’t need the points after a second period reversal gave way towards a pin in 3:15.

Kregg Clarke furthered the Tigers lead (21-8) at 165 pounds, knocking off Zach Duwe (NU) by major, 9-1. Clarke had takedowns in the first two periods to gain the advantage, earning the major with a three-point near-fall and over three minutes of riding time for the match.

No. 8 Josh Rodriguez just missed a major decision in his match with Michael Kubik (NU), winning 7-1 after adding a riding time point to two takedowns and a reversal. FHSU led, 24-8, at that point.

Inman, also ranked eighth nationally, made quick work of Newman’s Dalton Weidl at 184 pounds, pinning his opponent in2:45. Inman picked up a takedown early and after an official reset, stuck Weidl to pick up his 10th fall of the year.

Drylie (197) followed with a pin of his own in 3:39 against Bobby Bowman. Up 3-2 after the first, Drylie reversed Bowman in the second before recording the pin near the midway point of the second to give FHSU a 36-8 lead.

Sixth-ranked Page closed the match with the Tigers’ second technical fall of the night, dominating his match with Lex Plummer to win, 15-0, in the first period. Page had a takedown and 13 near-fall points in the first 2:27 of the match to secure the win.

Seniors Garrett Jones (133), Bryce Lewis (165), Rodriguez and Page were honored prior to the match for Senior Night.

FHSU is back in action on Friday, Jan. 23 at No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney. Match time in Kearney, Neb., is set for 6 p.m.

Complete dual results are below…

125 – Adam Ludwin (FHSU) wins by forfeit … FHSU leads, 6-0
133 – Dustin Reed (NU) wins by decision (5-2) over Anthony Calderon (FHSU) … FHSU leads, 6-3
141 – Noah Killip (FHSU) wins by technical fall (16-1, 7:00) over Travis Rodenbaugh (NU) … FHSU leads, 11-3
149 – Taylor Mies (NU) wins by technical fall (18-2, 3:40) over Matt Ziegler (FHSU) … FHSU leads, 11-8
157 – Bradley LIttle (FHSU) wins by fall (3:15) over Forlanda Parker (NU) … FHSU leads, 17-8
165 – Kregg Clarke (FHSU) wins by major decision (9-1) over Zach Duwe (NU) … FHSU leads, 21-8
174 – No. 8 Josh Rodriguez (FHSU) wins by decision (7-1) over Michael Kubik (NU) … FHSU leads, 24-8
184 – No. 8 Jon Inman (FHSU) wins by fall (2:45) over Dalton Wiedl (NU) … FHSU leads, 30-8.
197 – Cash Drylie (FHSU) wins by fall (3:39) over Bobby Bowman (NU) … FHSU leads, 36-8
285 – No. 6 Trey Page (FHSU) wins by technical fall (15-0, 2:27) over Lex Plummer (NU) … FHSU leads, 41-8

For the first time this season, Fort Hays State has cracked the USA Today/WBCA top-25. The Lady Tigers debut at No. 17.

Emporia State moves up to No. 2 while Pittsburg State falls to No. 4. Washburn drops out of the top-25 but is still receiving votes along with Missouri Southern and Central Missouri.

It’s the first ranking for the Lady Tigers since February 11, 2014 and the 13th time they’ve been ranked since joining Division II in the early 90’s. FHSU’s highest ranking was No. 10 in December of 2013.

The Lady Tigers host South Dakota School of Mines Thursday before taking on No. 4 Pittsburg State Saturday.

Complete poll below…

Rank	Institution – First Place Votes	Previous	Record	Points
1.	Lewis (Ill.) – 29	1	17-0	749
2.	Emporia State (Kan.)	3	14-1	692
3.	University of Alaska – Anchorage	5	16-1	645
4.	Pittsburg State (Kan.)	2	16-2	610
5.	Wayne State (Mich.)	6	13-1	583
6.	Limestone College (S.C.)	8	16-1	548
7.	Stonehill College (Mass.)	9	13-1	542
8.	Seattle Pacific (Wash.)	12	14-1	478
9.	Florida Institute of Technology	16	15-0	433
10.	West Texas A&M University	11	12-2	417
11.	Adelphi (N.Y.)	7	15-2	377
12.	Arkansas Tech	15	14-1	368
13.	Indiana (Pa.)	17	15-1	360
14.	Rollins College (Fla.)	10	12-2	331
15.	Northern State (S.D.)	4	15-3	296
16.	Columbus State (Ga.)	19	16-1	278
17.	Fort Hays State (Kan.)	NR	16-1	229
18.	Livingstone College (N.C.)	NR	16-0	224
19.	Michigan Tech	23	13-1	217
20.	Nova Southeastern (Fla.)	13	12-3	191
21.	Drury (Mo.)	14	12-3	165
22.	Bloomsburg (Pa.)	21	13-2	162
23.	Harding (Ark.)	25	13-2	150
24.	California (Pa.)	22	14-2	145
25.	Humboldt State (Calif.)	NR	14-1	137

Dropped Out: Wayne State College (Neb.); Midwestern State University (Texas); Washburn University (Kan).

Others receiving votes: Wayne State College (Neb.) 118; Midwestern State University (Texas) 58; Washburn University (Kan.) 53; Lander University (S.C.) 46; Union University (Tenn.) 29; Johnson C Smith University (N.C.) 19; Cedarville University (Ohio) 14; University of Colorado – Colorado Springs 13; University of District of Columbia 10; University of West Florida 10; Minnesota State University – Mankato 8; California State University – Dominguez Hills 7; California State University – San Bernardino 5; Grand Valley State University (Mich.) 5; New York Institute of Technology (N.Y.) 5; California Baptist University 4; California State Polytechnic University – Pomona  4; Missouri Southern State University 4; University of California – San Diego 4; University of New Haven (Conn.) 3; University Of Sioux Falls (S.D.) 3; University of Central Missouri 1.