The Fort Hays State men’s basketball team ranked in the top 10 in attendance among the nearly 300 NCAA Division II basketball playing schools. The Tigers drew an average of 2,268 fans to their 15 home games during the 2012-13 season and ranked 10th nationally.

The Tigers were among six MIAA teams in the top 30 nationally led by Central Missouri who ranked fourth at 2,561 and Washburn who was seventh at 2.401. As a conference the MIAA led all of Division II in attendance at 254,543 fans to the 186 games, averaging 1,369 fans per game. The MIAA’s total attendance was better than 10 NCAA Division I conferences.

Rank  Division II             G/S    Attendance  Avg.
1.       Northern St.           17      54,383           3,199
2.       Dixie St.                12      34,818           2,902
3.       Midwestern St.       12      31,600           2,633
4.       Central Mo.            13      33,297           2,561
5.       Ky. Wesleyan         18      44,780          2,488
6.       Augustana (SD)      16      39,132          2,446
7.       Washburn              13      31,210          2,401
8.       Grand Canyon        16      38,330          2,396
9.       Elizabeth City St.   14      32,577          2,327
10.      Fort Hays St.         15      34,015         2,268
11.      Drury                     17      32,068        1,886
12.      Benedict                13      23,636        1,818
13.      Bellarmine              15      26,803        1,787
14.      West Ga.               14      24,665        1,762
15.      Mo. Southern St.    13      22,680        1,745
16.      SW Minn. State      12      20,498        1,708
17.      Tarleton St.            17      28,796        1,694
18.      St. Cloud St.          14      23,613        1,687
19.      Emporia St.            13      21,818        1,678
20.      UNC Pembroke       14      23,401        1,672
21.      Mo. Western St.     13      21,520        1,655
22.      S.C. Aiken              17      28,014        1,648
23.      Winston-Salem       13      21,255        1,635
24.      Indiana (PA)            18      28,565        1,587
25.      Tuskegee                 9      14,156        1,573
26.      Minn. St. Mankato   18      27,913        1,551
27.      Southern Ind.           15      22,800        1,520
28.      Fairmont St.            13      19,503        1,500
29.      Virginia Union          12      17,925        1,494
30.      Winona St.              15      22,182        1,479

The MIAA has been informed that there will be no Kanza Bowl football game in 2013. Since 2009, an MIAA team has played a team from the Lone Star Conference in this Division II post-season game.

“We are disappointed to receive this news,” stated MIAA Commissioner, Dr. Bob Boerigter. “The Kanza Bowl Committee had done a great job of providing an educational, competitive and enjoyable experience for our student-athletes and participating institutions. We are very grateful for the efforts that the Kanza Bowl Committee has put into past events and thank them for helping to create some fine memories for our student-athletes and fans.”

The MIAA remains under contract to provide a team to participate in the historic Mineral Water Bowl where they annually face an opponent from the Northern Sun Conference.  The Mineral Water Bowl game is scheduled for December 8, 2013 in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

— MIAA Media Relations —

The Fort Hays State football team put on shoulder pads and helmets for the first in camp Wednesday morning at Lewis Field.

The Tigers continues camp through this weekend before classes and regular practice begins on Monday.

Click on the links below to hear from Tiger Head Coach Chris Brown and defensive lineman Jesse Trent.

Chris Brown Interview

Jesse Trent Interview

 

The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team enters the 2013 season ranked 23rd in NCAA Division II. The NSCAA released its preseason national rankings on Tuesday (Aug. 13) and the Tigers are one of three MIAA schools referenced.

Fort Hays State is coming off an 11-6-2 record in 2012. Fort Hays State grabbed an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament, its first-ever national tournament appearance in just the program’s second year of existence. The Tigers fell in the Super Region semifinals to conference foe Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. Northeastern State begins the year No. 14 in the nation and Lindenwood, also a member of the MIAA, opens at No. 18.

The Tigers return six of their seven All-MIAA and All-Central Region selections from last year in 2013, which includes first-team selections Tanner Brock, Daniel Peralta, and Eric Hymer, second-team selections Diego Cabral and Michael Cole, and honorable mention goalkeeper Kent Freund. Throw in one of the region’s elite goal scorers from 2011, Ricardo Yeverino, who sat out the 2012 season, and the Tigers look poised for another solid season in 2013.

The Tigers jumped in the national rankings for the first time in school history last year in early September, then climbed as high as No. 9 in the regular season. Fort Hays State begins the 2013 season where it was ranked in the final poll of 2012, at No. 23.

Below is the Preseason Top 25…

Rank	School	Prev.	W-L-T
1	Lynn	1	20-2-1
2	Saginaw Valley State	2	18-3-4
3	Simon Fraser	3	19-2-1
4	Mercyhurst	4	17-6-1
5	Regis	7	17-2-1
6	Rockhurst	8	18-3-2
7	Southern New Hampshire	5	19-4-0
8	LIU Post	13	18-2-0
9	Rollins	12	15-4-2
10	Flagler	14	10-4-3
11	University Of Charleston	15	13-2-4
12	Wingate	9	13-6-1
13	Gannon	16	13-6-0
14	Northeastern State (Okla.)	16	13-6-0
15t	Quincy	19	12-2-6
15t	Lander	18	12-3-2
17	Merrimack	20	15-4-2
18	Lindenwood	23	15-2-3
19	Colorado Mines	21	14-5-2
20	University Of Tampa	22	10-6-1
21	Cal State Los Angeles	23	11-4-5
22	Midwestern State	NR	10-2-5
23	Fort Hays State	23	11-6-2
24	Drury	NR	12-5-2
25	Notre Dame (Ohio)	RV	15-6-0

2012 final record and ranking shown.

Also receiving votes: Seattle Pacific, Mars Hill, Fort Lewis, North Carolina-Pembroke, St. Edward’s, Davis & Elkins, West Texas A&M, West Virginia Wesleyan, Cal State Dominguez Hills

 

-FHSU Sports Information-

 

Fort Hays State volleyball was picked seventh in the MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Tuesday (Aug. 13). The Tigers are slotted right where they finished in conference play in 2012, coming off a 23-14 overall season in 2012. Last year marked the first 20-win season for FHSU since the 2004 season.

Fort Hays State looks to continue its rise in the conference standings seeing steady improvement in head coach Kurt Kohler‘s first four seasons. Seven conference wins in 2012 marked a new high for the program since joining the extremely difficult MIAA in 2006. The Tigers look to chase down the three top dogs in the conference, Nebraska-Kearney, Washburn, and Central Missouri, which entered the NCAA Tournament last year all in the top five of the national rankings. The MIAA lost one strong program in Truman, a nationally ranked program that moved to the Great Lakes Valley Conference starting this year.

The 2012 MIAA Champion and Central Regional finalist Nebraska-Kearney is picked No. 1 in the poll with 118 points and eight first-place votes. Central Missouri edged out Washburn for the second spot, 108 points to 107.

Next in line is a pair of Kansas schools in Emporia State and Pittsburg State. Fort Hays State went 3-1 against those teams in 2012, splitting with ESU and sweeping PSU. Northwest Missouri State at No. 6 is all that separates the four Kansas schools from stacking in a row in the polls. The Tigers dropped their only match with NWMSU on the road in 2012.

The Tigers dominated opponents in neutral site matches in 2012, going 13-2. They also had a decent 5-6 road record, but taking advantage of the home atmosphere was a struggle in 2012. FHSU finished just 5-6 at home last year and looks to improve on that mark to take the next step up the ladder of the mighty MIAA.

The Tigers are loaded with several solid returners, including five players with All-MIAA accolades in their careers. Senior middle hitter Jenna Ulrich and senior outside hitter Madison Schwartz are each two-time All-MIAA selections, while senior libero Makenzie Weinman grabbed her first all-conference nod in 2012. Junior outside hitter Sara Hewson and junior rightside hitter Taylor Mares each have an all-conference selection to their credit as well. Returning to give FHSU added punch are juniors Camille Hubert and Samantha Ledy. Hubert redshirted 2012 with an injury and bolsters the outside hitter position, while Ledy gives the Tigers another solid option in the middle. Sophomores Tara Hoekman and Mallory Flagor are also in the mix after seeing significant action last year. A new pair of setters, junior transfer Libby Ary and freshman Rachel Parsons, look to gel with the talented veterans. Several newcomers to the squad look to make the Tigers even stronger in 2013.
2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Kearney (8) 118
2. Central Missouri (1) 108
3. Washburn (3) 107
4. Emporia State 89
5. Pittsburg State 71
6. Northwest Missouri 68
7. Fort Hays State 65
8. Central Oklahoma 52
9. Lindenwood 42
10. Missouri Western 39
11. Southwest Baptist 21
12. MIssouri Southern 12

 

-FHSU Sports Information-

One-Hundred and six players opened football camp with the Fort Hays State football team Monday morning at Lewis Field. The practice is the first of a week of camp and three and a half weeks before the Tigers open up the regular season at home against Emporia State.

Fort Hays State opens the third year under head coach Chris Brown looking to improve on last season’s 5-6 finish and a 4-6 record in the MIAA .

The Tigers return just eight starters from 2012, four on offense and four on defense. Two key players back this year are running backs Andre and Ed Smith, after both went down with season ending injuries early last year.

The pair combined for 1,711 rushing yards in 2011.

 

Comments from Coach Brown, running back Andre Smith and quarterback Treveon Albert

Chris Brown

Andre Smith

Treveon Albert

Fort Hays State football was picked eighth in both the 2013 MIAA Coaches and Media Preseason Polls, released on Monday morning (Aug. 5) at MIAA Football Media Day in Kansas City, Mo. The Tigers are picked in a similar spot to where they finished last year, when they went 5-6 overall and 4-6 in the MIAA, tying for ninth in the conference standings.

Chris Brown at MIAA Football Media Day

The Tigers saw an improvement in wins in Chris Brown’s second year as head coach, one game better than the 4-7 overall mark in his first year of 2011. The Tigers matched their highest amount of wins in MIAA play for a season with four, also accomplished by the 2009 team. This is the eighth year of competition for Fort Hays State in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Fort Hays State opens practice next week on a brand new artificial turf surface at Lewis Field Stadium. The field will have a new look in 2013 as the 50-yardline now features the Tiger logo and the endzones are black with gold lettering. The finishing touches are being performed on the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility right next to the stadium for use in the coming weeks.

The Tigers have just eight starters from the 2012 season returning, four on offense and four on defense. Defensive back Micheal Jordan is the only All-MIAA selection from 2012 to return. The Tigers do have the running back combo of Andre and Edward Smith back in 2012, after both went down with season ending injuries early last year and received medical redshirts. Andre Smith was an All-MIAA selection in 2011 as a junior that ran for 963 yards and Edward Smith added 748 yards on the ground that season. The pair combined for 1,711 rushing yards in 2011.

Returning starters on offense for FHSU include sophomore offensive linemen Matt Erbert and Jarred Stindt, and senior wide receivers Tanner Hageman and Keaton Callins. Returning starters on defense include senior defensive lineman Basil Bandy, senior defensive back Stephen Marcotte, junior defensive back Micheal Jordan, and junior defensive lineman Jesse Trent.

Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State tied for first in the coaches vote, each gaining 159 votes and six first place votes each. Pittsburg State grabbed two first place votes in third. In the media poll, Northwest Missouri State edged Missouri Western slightly with 300 votes to 294. Both teams received 10 first place votes in that poll. Missouri Western was the regular season champion last year and joined Northwest Missouri State as teams from the MIAA in the NCAA Playoffs last year.

Fort Hays State grabbed 70 votes in the coaches poll to sit alone in eighth and tied for eighth in the media poll with Missouri Southern, each with 138 votes.

Below are the preseason polls for the 2013 season…

2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
T1. Missouri Western (6)                        159
T1. Northwest Missouri (6)                    159
3. Pittsburg State (2)                               145
4. Central Missouri                                 119
5. Lindenwood                                        117
6. Washburn                                            116
7. Emporia State                                      113
8. Fort Hays State                                70
9. Missouri Southern                               68
10. Central Oklahoma                            57
11. Northeastern State                             56
12. Nebraska-Kearney                             51
13. Southwest Baptist                              30
14. Lincoln                                               14

2013 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (10)                    300
2. Missouri Western (10)                        294
3. Pittsburg State (2)                               276
4. Washburn                                            231
5. Lindenwood                                        221
6. Central Missouri                                 205
7. Emporia State (1)                                197
T8. Fort Hays State                            138
T8. Missouri Southern                            138
10. Northeastern State                            125
11. Central Oklahoma                             113
12. Nebraska-Kearney                             96
13. Southwest Baptist                              52
14. Lincoln                                                 29

-FHSU Sports Information-

Trey Herman wins both of his matches Friday at the 103rd Kansas Amateur at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills to advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals where he will face Ryan Argotsinger from Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Argotsinger, who will be a sophomore at Northern Iowa, needed 20 holes to defeat former Fort Hays State golfer Markus Hilger in the round of 32. He was a  2 and 1 winner over Ryley Haas of Lawrence in the round of 16.

Herman, a current Fort Hays State golfer and former Hays High standout, fired a bogey-free round in his 3 and 1 victory over Kansas City’s Clarke Fry in his his first match on Friday. The tight match was all-square through 14 when Herman birdied 15, 16 and 17 to end it with one hole to play.

In the round of 16, Herman defeats Topeka’s Brian Walker 4 and 3. Herman birdied the first two holes and was 5 up through 13 before a bogey on 14, his first in match play. He came back to par the par-four 15th to end the match.

Current Fort Hays State and former Hays High golfer Trey Herman shot three-under-par 67 on Wednesday to win stroke play at the 103rd Kansas Amateur Championships at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills. Herman, who shot a one-under-par 69 in his opening round Tuesday, finished with a four-under-par 136 in his two rounds and will be the No. 1 seed heading into match play on Thursday.

Herman finished one shot ahead of Kansas State’s Kyle Weldon. The St. Louis native was two-under on Wednesday and three-under through stroke play and will be the No. 2 seed.

Herman will face Topeka’s Gary Lucas in the first-round of match play on Thursday morning.

Fort Hays State’s Tom O’Keefe, who finished 11-over during stroke play, is seeded 34th for match play and goes up against John Lovell from Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Fort Hays State wrestler Adam Ludwin competed in the 2013 Junior World Team Trials this past weekend in Stillwater, Okla. in the Greco Roman discipline at 121 pounds. Ludwin qualified for the World Team Trials by placing fifth at the FILA Junior National Tournament in Las Vegas back in April. The bracket was small but comprised of only the United States elite Greco Roman wrestlers who qualified to get in this tournament. Ludwin finished with a record of 1-2 taking fourth.

“Adam wrestled pretty well,” said FHSU head coach Chas Thompson. “He was just on the wrong end of some controversial calls.  The calls could have gone either way and in both of his losses, Adam wins the match if the call goes his way. The good news is Adam gets to represent the United States at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile July 12-14 in both Freestyle and Greco Roman.”

Ludwin will be in Santiago, Chile from July 8-15 with team USA for the Pan American Games. He will be competing July 12-14 in two different styles, Freestyle and Greco Roman.

“We are excited for Adam to get this chance to represent the United States on such a big stage,” said Thompson. “The team is comprised of mostly NCAA Division I wrestlers. Adam is the only Division II wrestler on the roster as of now.”

– FHSU Sports Information –

There are still a few small items to finish, but for the most part, Fort Hays State’s new Schmidt-Bickel Indoor Training Facility is complete. Crews recently put down the floor for the new weight room and late this week were putting the finishing touches on the 65-yard field inside the 50,000 square feet facility.

Crews have also started to rip out the old turf inside Lewis Field. The new playing surface, which will be similar to the one inside Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, will be ready to go for the start of the FHSU training camp in August.

Below are photos of the new indoor training facility…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fort Hays State wrestling coach Chas Thompson has announced the signing of five individuals for the upcoming 2013-14 season. Three of the signings come to FHSU from the junior college ranks, while two begin their collegiate careers from the high school ranks. The newcomers include Bryce Lewis, Cash Drylie, Trey Page, Aaron Puckett, and Josh Mora.

Bryce Lewis is a junior transfer from Colby (Kan.) Community College, where he was a two-time NJCAA All-American taking fourth in 2012 and seventh in 2013 nationally at 165 pounds. Lewis is a native of Minden, Neb., where he attended Minden High School. He won the state title as a senior and was a two-time state finalist. Bryce is the son of Bobby and Betty Lewis.

Cash Drylie, native of Hays, Kan., comes to FHSU as a sophomore after wrestling a year at Colby (Kan.) Community College. Drylie was a NJCAA national qualifier at 197 pounds this past season. In high school, he was a two-time state placer for Hays High School, finishing second as a senior and sixth as a junior. Cash is the son of Butch and Tammy Drylie.

Trey Page is a junior transfer from Labette (Kan.) Community College, where he was a two-time national qualifier and the national runner-up at heavyweight in 2011-12. Page played a key roll in helping Labette to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships. A native of Wichita, Kan., Page wrestled at Wichita Northwest High School where he was a state champion as a senior and a two-time state finalist. Trey is the son of Jack and Cindy Page.

Aaron Puckett comes to FHSU after being a four-time state placer at Bonner Springs High School in Kansas. He was an undefeated state champion in 2012-13 as a senior at 160 pounds, going 45-0. Puckett also had a third-place and two fourth-place finishes to his credit at the state championships in high school. Puckett is projected for either 157 or 165 pounds in college. He is the son of Michael and Stephanie McLaughlin.

Josh Mora comes to FHSU from Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas where he was a three-time state placer. He won the state title at 132 pounds as a senior and also had finishes of third and fourth at state in his career. He is projected as a 133 pounder at Fort Hays State. Josh is the son of Noe and Becky Mora.

– FHSU Sports Information –