Trailing 16-15 going into the final two matches, Tanner Kriss and Justin Glenn won two decisions to give No. 15 Fort Hays State a 21-16 win over No. 20 Colorado Mesa on Thursday night at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Kriss started the late rally by the Tigers with a 6-2 decision win over Korey Kennedy at 197 pounds. After the Kriss won and the Tigers holding a slim 18-16 advantage, Glenn closed out the match with a 6-4 win over Francisco Retana for the final 21-16 score.

FHSU started the match with a 6-0 lead after Collin Hase notched a forfeit win at 125 pounds. The Mavericks knotted the match at 6-6 with back-to-back wins at 133 and 141 pounds. Tyler Nelson defeated Kyle Johnson via a 7-3 decision at 133, while the 141-pound match saw a battle between two ranked wrestlers. No. 7 CJ Napier suffered his first loss of the season as No. 8 James Martinez of Colorado Mesa won via a 7-3 decision. Napier is now 6-1 this season.

All-American Mitchell Means won at 149 pounds over Trevor Donarski in a 7-2 decision, giving FHSU a 9-6 lead. After the Mavericks tied it back up at 9-9, Sam Thoman gained six points for the Tigers as Thoman pinned Chester Grandard in the first period at 2:13.

Benny Armstrong and Aaron Berscheidt dropped their bouts to allow the Mavericks to take their first lead at 16-15 before the final two wins for the Tigers by Kriss and Glenn. Armstrong fell in a close 5-4 decision to Zak Slotten at 174, while Berscheidt lost in a 14-0 major decision to Nick Peterson.

The Tigers, now 4-2 and 3-2 in the RMAC, welcome No. 18 Western State to Gross Memorial Coliseum Friday for a 7 pm match.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Fort Hays State Tigers hit their first seven shots of the game including three 3-pointers, building an early 10 point lead then went on a 16-0 run to build a 22-point lead early in the second half and defeat Truman State 76-57 Wednesday night at Gross Coliseum.

Truman pulled to within six with just under five minutes to play in the first half, but the Tigers close the half on a 10-0 run to lead 36-20 at the break, holding them scoreless for almost seven minutes.

FHSU (15-6, 9-6 MIAA) shot 58-percent in the second half and led by as many as 29 in the second half.

Omar McDade led five Tigers in double-figures with 16 points on 4-of-6 3-point shooting. Simmons had 15 points and 11 rebounds, Moses Dayee hit four 3’s and scored 14, Kendrick Morse 12 and Karron McKenzie 10.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview:
johnsonpost2-8-12

Omar McDade Postgame Interview:
mcdade2-8-12

Game Highlights:
mensHL2-8-12

The Fort Hays State wrestlers remained No. 15 in the latest poll released by the Division II Wrestling Coaches Association Wednesday. Mitchell Means moves up to No. 2 in the 149-pound class, while both Walker Clarke (184 pounds) and CJ Napier (141 pounds) remain at No. 1 and No. 7, respectively in their weight classes.

For the third straight poll, the Tiger wrestlers held on to the No. 15 spot. The Tigers finished third on the Kansas Cup in their only action since the last poll. Overall, FHSU is 3-2 on the season and 2-2 in the RMAC.

Clarke remained atop the 184-pound class with his No. 1 ranking. The junior from Stillwater, Okla. has held the top stop for three straight polls. Clarke most recently won his weight class at the Kansas Cup, going 3-0 at the tournament.

Napier held at the No. 7 spot in the 141-pound class after entering the polls last time around. A sophomore from Columbus, Kan. is 6-0 on the season, including a 3-0 day and an individual title at the Kansas Cup.

Means moved into the No. 2 spot in the 149-pound class. He was previously third in the class before this poll. A season ago Means was an All-American for the Tigers.

The Tigers return to the mat Thursday (Feb. 9) in a home dual with No. 20 Colorado Mesa at 7 p.m. in Gross Memorial Coliseum.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The MIAA released its Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday (Feb. 2). Fort Hays State was picked fourth in the 11-team conference behind Central Missouri, Emporia State, and Missouri Western. Central Missouri (No. 3) and Emporia State (No. 8) are both in the top 10 of the preseason national rankings. The Tigers finished fourth in the MIAA in each of the past two years.

FHSU begins its second season under head coach Steve Johnson on February 24 at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas. The Tigers play a three-game series there before their home opening series against Northwest Missouri State, March 2-4.

The Tigers have five All-MIAA selections from last year returning to the 2012 team, which includes Nash Smith, Anthony Salinas, Brandon Hoefler, JC Ochoa, and Brett Macari. All five are seniors this year. Smith was a second-team selection in the outfield, while Salinas (outfield), Hoefler (outfield), Ochoa (designated hitter) and Macari (relief pitcher) were honorable mention selections.

The complete MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll is listed below…

2012 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (9) – 99 pts.
2. Emporia State (2) – 92 pts.
3. Missouri Western – 74 pts.
4. Fort Hays State – 73 pts.
5. Missouri Southern – 63 pts.
6. Washburn – 56 pts.
7. Northwest Missouri – 49 pts.
8. Pittsburg State – 37 pts.
9. Truman – 31 pts.
10. Lincoln – 19 pts.
11. Southwest Baptist – 12 pts.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) released its Preseason Coaches Softball Poll on Thursday (Feb. 2). Fort Hays State was picked sixth in a close vote, just two points behind fourth-place Central Missouri. Missouri Western, one of three teams to tie for the conference crown in 2011, received eight first-place votes and is the preseason pick to win the conference.

Fort Hays State, under the direction of first-year head coach Erin Kinberger, return four starters off of last season’s 30-22 club. FHSU finished seventh in MIAA play with an 11-11 record, but they advanced to the finals of the conference tournament before falling to Nebraska-Omaha.

The Tigers return three players who earned All-MIAA honors in 2011, led by first baseman Adriana Wortley. Wortley was a second-team All-MIAA choice as a junior and is a two-time all-conference and all-region pick and she is on the verge of breaking the school record for home runs in a career. Maddie Holub earned her second consecutive All-MIAA selection as a utility player last season after batting .313 and going 15-8 as a pitcher with a 2.27 ERA. Danie Brinkmann was an All-MIAA honorable mention selection at shortstop in 2011 and is the Tigers’ leading returner in batting average (.323) and hits (52).

Fort Hays State opens the 2012 season on February 14 with a home doubleheader against Nebraska-Kearney.

Below is the full 2012 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll:

2012 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1.     Missouri Western (8) – 98 pts.
2.     Emporia State (3) – 93 pts.
3.     Missouri Southern – 73 pts.
4.     Central Missouri – 67 pts.
5.     Northwest Missouri – 66 pts.
6.     Fort Hays State – 65 pts.
7.     Truman – 39 pts.
T8.   Pittsburg State – 33 pts.
T8.   Washburn – 33 pts.
10.   Lincoln – 28 pts.
11.   Southwest Baptist – 10 pts.

– FHSU Sports Information –

Fort Hays State football coach Chris Brown and the Tiger football staff will be announcing the 2012 recruiting class on Wednesday, February 1. The first Wednesday in February is referred to as National Signing Day, which is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent to play college football.

Chris Brown Signing Day News Conference

Below is a list of players who have turned in their Letter of Intent.

Treyvias Alexander
WR, 6-2, 205, Jr.-TR
Breaux Bridge, La. (Hinds (Miss.) CC)
Notes: Played two years at Hinds CC and was rated a three-star junior college prospect by Rivals.com…All-state and all-region selection after amounting more than 1,000 yards receiving and 13 receiving touchdowns at Hinds…All-district and all-state selection at Breaux Bridge HS, where he had 26 touchdowns in his final two years.

Tarean Austin
QB, 6-3, 210, Jr.-TR
Tampa, Fla. (Univ. of New Mexico)
Notes: Played two seasons at New Mexico, making six starts…Started the first four games of the 2011 season and made seven appearances overall, completing 60-of-117 passes with three touchdowns and 706 yards…Was also the team’s fourth-leading rusher with 195 yards on 59 carries, including one touchdown…Became the first true freshman since 1988 to start a game at quarterback for the Lobos in 2010, when he played in seven games and started two…Finished his freshman year going 44-of-90 with two touchdowns and 398 yards…Rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 42 carries in 2010…Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and the No. 20 dual-threat in the high school class of 2010…Threw for 2,132 yards and 20 touchdowns with just six interceptions as a senior for Hillsborough HS and led the Terriers to the state playoffs in 2007 and 2009.

Mitchell Bean
LB, 6-0. 235, So.-TR
Garden City, Kan. (Garden City (Kan.) CC)
Notes: Played two year at Garden City Community College, taking a redshirt in 2011…Finished his freshman season with 25 tackles, one forced fumble and one pass breakup…Earned four varsity letters at Garden City HS in football and three in wrestling…First-team All-WAC and honorable mention all-state selection in 2009 as a senior…2010 Kansas Shrine Bowl Participant.

Zach Binder
DE, 6-3, 240, Fr.-HS
Hays, Kan. (Hays HS)
Notes: Three-time All-WAC selection, including first-team selections in 2010 and 2011…All-Class 5A selection on the offensive line by various outlets…Hays Area Super-11 selection by the Hays Daily News…Finished his career with 159 tackles and 15 tackles for loss…Selected to the 2012 Kansas Shrine Bowl.

Addie Brown
RB, 5-8, 180, Fr.-HS
Denver, Colo. (Mullen HS)
Notes: Averaged more than 7.0 yards per carry and rushed for 11 touchdowns as a senior…All-State Class 5A selection as a defensive back in 2011 after recording 37 tackles and two interceptions…Member of three Class 5A State Championship teams…Two-time all-conference selection.

Noah Debban
DE, 6-6, 235, Fr.-HS
Littleton, Colo. (Heritage HS)
Notes: Earned three varsity letters in football and basketball…Member of the Class 4A State Championship team in 2009.

Grady Donohoe
OL, 6-1, 255, Fr.-HS
Kearney, Neb. (Kearney HS)
Notes: Two-time all-region selection and offensive lineman of the year for Kearney HS…2011 state qualifier in wrestling and named to the all-territory wrestling team.

Raheeme Dumas
DB, 6-1, 185, Fr.-HS
Lakeland, Fla. (Lakeland HS)
Notes: Named the PolkPreps.com large school offensive player of the year for 2011…Third-team All-State Class 7A selection, the largest classification in Florida…Threw for 1,779 yards, rushed for 795 and accounted for 30 total touchdowns, leading Lakeland HS to an undefeated regular season and the State Semifinals…Also an all-county selection at cornerback in 2011.

Cory Ellis
WR, 5-11, 185, Fr.-HS
Berthoud, Colo. (Berthoud HS)
Notes: All-area and all-conference wide receiver in 2011 after catching 52 passes for 774 yards and eight touchdowns…Regional champion and state qualifier in wrestling as a junior.

Connor Farmer
TE, 6-6, 245, Fr.-HS
Kansas City, Mo. (Park HIll HS)
Notes: Won three varsity letters in football and two in basketball…All-conference selection as both offensive and defensive lineman.

Richard “Chico” Feltenberger
OL, 6-4, 315, Fr.-HS
Longmont, Colo. (Skyline HS)
Notes: All-conference and all-region selection as a left tackle…Offensive lineman of the year for Skyline HS after starting 20 consecutive games and recording the pancake block of the year…Also an all-state track performer in shot put.

Tyler Fischer
P/K, 6-2, 180, Fr.-HS
Cambridge, Neb. (Cambridge HS)
Notes: Earned three varsity letters for Cambridge HS…All-district and honorable mention all-state punter in 2011…Averaged 44.3 yards per punt as a senior.

Jared Herl
TE/LB, 6-3, 230, Fr.-HS
Ellis, Kan. (Ellis HS)
Notes: All-MCL selection for three years despite missing time due to injuries his junior and senior seasons…Was a second-team pick at both tight end and linebacker in 2011…Two-time All-State Class 2-1A honorable mention selection…Selected to the 2012 Kansas Shrine Bowl.

Kenneth Iheme
WR/KR, 5-8, 165, Fr.-HS
Wichita, Kan. (Heights HS)
Notes: First-team all-city and all-state honorable mention as a return specialist in 2011…Member of the 2010 State Championship team as well as teams that finished as runner-up in 2009 and 2011…Rushed for over 1,200 yards and scored 18 touchdowns as a prep.

Anthony Jenniges
DL, 6-3, 235, Fr.-HS
Odessa, Neb. (Kearney HS)
Notes: Two-year letterwinner in football and honorable mention all-area selection.

Lucas Jennings
DB, 6-0, 195, Fr.-HS
Garden Plain, Kan. (Garden Plain HS)
Notes: Defensive MVP of the Central Plains League and two-time all-league as a defensive back…Also a two-time all-league quarterback and honorable mention all-state selection…Recorded 162 tackles and five interceptions in his career…Selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-Star Game in Tampa, Fla.

Antonio Johnson
LB, 6-1, 215, Fr.-HS
Lakewood, Colo. (Lakewood HS)
Notes: Two-time All-Denver Prep League selection and three-year letterwinner for Lakewood HS…Finished his career with over 300 tackles and 20 tackles for loss.

Jeremy Jones
FB, 5-11, 215, Jr.-TR
Huntsville, Ala. (San Bernardino Valley (Calif.) CC)
Notes: Second team All-Mountain Conference selection at defensive end after racking up 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks along with one forced fumble and three recovered fumbles…Split time between offense and defense in 2012, finishing with 16 tackles and one tackle for loss.

Garrett Kolling
DB, 5-9, 170, Fr.-HS
Deshler, Neb. (Alma HS)
Notes: Three-time all-state running back…Also earned several all-district and all-area honors…Rushed for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, finishing his career with over 4,000 rushing yards and 72 touchdowns.

Dylan Krosschell
OLB, 6-0, 205, Fr.-HS
Grand Island, Neb. (Northwest HS)
Notes: All-conference and All-Heartland super squad selection following his senior season…Passed for over 2,500 yards and amassed more than 3,500 all-purpose yards in his prep career…Recorded 29.5 tackles in 2011.

Truitt Kuhlmann
RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Fr.-HS
Smith Center, Kan. (Smith Center HS)
Notes: Two-time all-state Class 2A selection, including a first team selection at running back in 2011…First-team All-MCL running back and defensive back as a junior and senior…All-area selection by the Hastings Tribune as a junior…Hays Area Super-11 selection by the Hays Daily News in 2011…Selected to the 2012 Kansas Shrine Bowl. 

Greg List
OL, 6-3, 285, Jr.-TR
Leavenworth, Kan. (Butler (Kan.) CC)
Notes: A member of two KJCCC and Region IV Champion teams at Butler, finishing with a record of 22-2 during his two seasons…Helped anchor the offensive line for a Grizzly team that averaged over 520 yards of total offense and 50 points per game in 2011…Two-time All-Delaware Valley League selection in football and basketball…All-State honorable mention selection in 2008 and 2009.

Leaton McClelland
OL, 6-3, 275, So.-TR
Holcomb, Kan. (Northwestern Oklahoma State)
Notes: Redshirted in 2010 before playing one season on the offensive line at Northwestern Oklahoma State where he was part of an offense that scored nearly 30 points per game…Was recruited to NWOSU by current FHSU offensive line coach Justin Iske…All-conference and all-state honorable mention selection as a senior at Holcomb HS.

Justin McPhail
LB, 6-1, 225, Fr.-HS
Liberal, Kan. (Liberal HS)
Notes: Named to the Class 5A All-State team as a junior after finishing 128 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception…First team All-WAC linebacker in 2010…State Champion wrestler at 215 pounds in Class 5A for the 2010 season…Missed most of 2011 football season with a knee injury.

Adrian Menard
RB, 5-8, 190, Fr.-HS
Breaux Bridge, La. (Breaux Bridge HS)
Notes: Selected to the all-district second team in 2010 and 2011…Rushed for over 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns combined in those two seasons…Helped Breaux Bridge to the state semifinals in 2011.

Aaron Mispagel
QB, 6-3, 220, Fr.-HS
Denver, Colo. (Mullen HS)
Notes: Four-year letterwinner at Mullen HS in football and three-year letterwinner in baseball…Backed up Rivals.com four-star prospect and No. 2 dual-threat quarterback Cyler Miles.

Cameron Owens
K/P, 5-10, 180, Jr.-TR
Topeka, Kan. (Highland (Kan.) CC)
Notes: Second team All-KJCCC punter in 2012 after averaging 39.1 yards per kick on 51 attempts…All-district kicker and punter in his prep career at Washburn Rural HS.

Alonzo Pettiford
WR, 5-8, 170, Fr.-HS
Holiday, Fla. (Anclote HS)
Notes: Second team all-county pick in 2011…Played multiple offensive positions as a senior, rushing for 602 yards on 68 carries with seven touchdowns…Also caught 14 passes for 268 yards and two scores…Returned 14 kickoffs for 464 yards, an average of 33.1  yards per return.

Alex Pollmann
DT, 6-2, 240, Fr.-HS
Trenton, Neb. (Hitchcock County Schools)
Notes: First-team all-state selection by multiple outlets in both 2010 and 2011…Six Man Coaches Association all-state selection…State qualifier in wrestling in 2010.

Connor Rogers
DB, 6-0, 195, Fr.-HS
Stockton, Kan. (Stockton HS)
Notes: Two-time all-league selection on both offense and defense…Four year letterwinner in both football and wrestling…Rushed for over 900 yards as a junior while also collecting 135 tackles on defense.

Michael Sena
DB, 6-0, 170, Fr.-HS
Liberal, Kan. (Liberal HS)
Notes: Two-time all-conference selection as a defensive back, including a first-team selection in 2011.

Shane Smith
LB, 6-2, 245, Jr.-TR
Augusta, Kan. (Hutchinson (Kan.) CC)
Notes: Played two years at Hutchinson CC, finishing with 48 career tackles, including three for loss, and two interceptions, with one being returned for a touchdown…Earned All-AVCTL second team honors as a linebacker and tight end as a senior at Augusta HS…State qualifier in shot put and discus.

Travis Smith
OL, 6-2, 305, Jr.-TR
Durant, Okla. (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M)
Notes: All-district selection at Durant HS before playing two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Churphy Steward
DT, 6-2, 275, Fr.-HS
Breaux Bridge, La. (Breaux Bridge HS)
Notes: Earned All-District, All-Acadiana and first team All-State honors at defensive tackle after helping Breaux Bridge HS to the 4A state quarterfinals in 2008…Collected 85 tackles, including five for loss and five sacks…Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com for the class of 2010.

Kevin Stringer
WR, 6-0, 170, Fr.-HS
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Widefield HS)
Notes: All-state honorable mention selection in 2011 and was his team’s offensive player of the year…Passed for 991 yards and rushed for 482 as a senior.

Michael Terry
DE/LB, 6-1, 225, So.-TR
Tyler, Texas (Arizona Western College)
Notes: Registered seven tackles for loss, including four sacks in 2011…Helped Arizona Western reach the No. 1 ranking for three weeks before they finished the season ranked No. 3…Redshirted during the 2009 season at the University of Idaho…Rated a two-star prospect by Rivals.com out of high school…First team all-district and all-state honorable mention selection as a senior at Angleton HS.

Donald Williams
LB, 6-1, 210, Jr.-TR
Palmdale, Calif. (Antelope Valley (Calif.) College)
Notes: Played two years at Antelope Valley College and was the Marauders second-leading tackler in 2011…Finished the year with 57 tackles, including five for a loss and had one sack…Also recorded two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble…Was twice named an All-Golden League selection while playing for Palmdale HS.

– FHSU Sports Information –

The latest release of the NABC Division II Men’s Basketball Poll is out and Fort Hays State’s school-record streak of regular season rankings comes to an end at 36. The Tigers drop out of this week’s poll following their loss at Northwest Missouri State Saturday. The Tigers were ranked No. 23 last week but are still receiving votes in this week’s poll.

The streak started in 2009-10 when the Tigers broke into the Top 25 in the third regular season poll released that season. The Tigers remained in the Top 25 for 13 consecutive polls that season. The Tigers ran their streak to 28 straight weeks as they were referenced in all 15 polls of 2010-11. It was just the third season in which the Tigers were in every regular season poll, joining the 1995-96 and 1996-97 teams to accomplish that feat. FHSU was just one of eight teams to be referenced in the Top 25 of all 15 polls last year.

After a hot 7-0 start, Fort Hays State was No. 24 in the first regular season poll of the current 2011-12 season. That matched the school record of being referenced in 29 consecutive regular season polls, which occurred from the 1995-96 season through the 1997-98 season. The Tigers broke that record by seeing their largest leap ever in consecutive polls, jumping 14 spots to No. 10 in the nation in the second poll of the season. FHSU reached as high as No. 8 in the nation in the fifth poll released, but have slowly faded down the rankings since. By remaining in eight consecutive polls to open the season, Fort Hays State ran its new record streak to 36 consecutive polls.

The MIAA still has two teams in the Top 25 this week, which includes Northwest Missouri State at No. 22 and Missouri Southern at No. 23. This is the second time Northwest Missouri has jumped into the Top 25 this season. Northwest Missouri is tied for the MIAA lead at 10-3 with Central Missouri, which received votes along with FHSU this week. Missouri Southern and FHSU are currently tied for fourth in the conference.

Below is the NABC Division II Poll for January 31…