KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State was tabbed 12th in the 2019 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday (Jan. 30). The Tigers were picked where they finished in the standings last year.

Fort Hays State enters its fifth season under the guidance of head coach Adrian Pilkington. The Tigers will be in search of their first MIAA Tournament appearance since 2016 after finishing 12th in the standings each of the last two years. FHSU finished 13-37 overall last year and 8-18 in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State is still a youthful team in 2019 with no seniors on the roster. However, eight of the 15 members of the roster are entering their junior season. With the seasoning of several underclassmen coupled with a few key transfers, the Tigers are looking to find another gear this year and improve their MIAA standing after being stuck in neutral last year in regards to position in the standings.

Fort Hays State saw three freshmen lead the way in batting average last year as Grace Philop, Sara Breckbill, and Terran Caldwell all hit over .300 for the season. Philop was the team leader in batting average at .333, while Breckbill tied for the team lead in home runs with five. Both were All-MIAA selections in their first collegiate season. Bailey Boxberger, who enters her junior season in 2019, led the team in RBIs last year with 27 and tied Breckbill for the team lead in home runs with five.The Tigers return six of the nine players from their regular starting lineup last year, while four newcomers (two juniors, two freshmen) look to work into the mix for hitting and fielding.

Pitching will need to improve in 2018 for the Tigers to see more success. The team had a 5.22 ERA compared to opponents posting 2.84 ERA against the Tigers. Hailey Chapman was the team leader in ERA (4.52), innings pitched (164), complete games (15) and strikeouts (124) last year. Junior transfer Michaelanne Nelson from Connors State (Okla.) looks to make an immediate impact in the circle after earning all-region honors at the NJCAA level last year.

Fort Hays State opens the season with four games in Bentonville, Arkansas, February 9-10. The Tigers are slated to play 10 doubleheaders in Hays this year, with the first on March 5 against Kansas Wesleyan University.

BROOKFIELD, Ill. – Fort Hays State had four players named to the Don Hansen Football Committee All-America Team for the 2018 season. Dante Brown is the Special Teams Player of the Year for all of NCAA Division II, while earning first team honors as a kicker and an honorable mention nod as a punter. Linebacker Jose Delgado also earned a first-team selection, while Doyin Jibowu earned third-team honors and Wyatt Parker received an honorable mention selection.

Brown adds to his list of honors for the 2018 season. Already tabbed the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year and Don Hansen Football Committee Super Region 3 Special Teams Player of the Year, Brown adds Special Teams Player of the Year for all of Division II to his collection. Brown has already earned All-America status from the D2CCA and D2Football.com. Along with his kicking role, Brown was also one of the top punters nationally. He was an All-MIAA First Team selection at both kicker and punter this year. He led the nation in field goals made with 28 and averaged an NCAA-best 2.33 field goals per game, breaking the MIAA record for field goals in a season by three and coming just two shy of the NCAA Division II single-season record. He converted 84.8 percent of his field goal attempts, going 28-of-33 for the season, to rank fifth in NCAA Division II. Brown also shattered the Fort Hays State single-season record for points with 123. Brown had 67 punts for 2,772 yards, averaging 41.4 yards per attempt.

Delgado earns All-America status from a third organization after a tremendous senior season. He was the D2CCA Super Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year and MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. Like Brown, Delgado was an All-America selection by both the D2CCA and D2Football.com. He finished the year with 117 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble. He reached double figures in tackles eight times in the 12 games played in 2018, reaching 14 twice. Delgado reached double figures in a game 20 times throughout his 44-game career with the Tigers, earning All-MIAA honors three times and first-team honors the last two years. With 402 career tackles, he became the all-time tackles leader in Fort Hays State’s NCAA Division II era.

Jibowu gives the Tigers three repeat All-America selections this year after receiving honorable mention status from the Don Hansen Football Committee last year. Brown and Delgado are also repeat All-America selections by the Don Hansen Football Committee. He finished the year with 57 tackles, including 6 for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 sack, and 11 pass breakups. Jibowu wrapped his impressive four-year career at FHSU with 276 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 9 interceptions, and 26 pass breakups. He was an All-MIAA First Team selection at defensive back for the second straight year and three-time selection overall.

Parker earns the first All-America honor of his career. He finished fourth on the team in tackles with 71 from his defensive tackle position, while leading the Tigers in sacks (5.5) and forced fumbles (4). He also collected 11.5 tackles for loss and one interception for the season. Parker was a two-time All-MIAA selection for the Tigers.

Below is the Don Hansen All-America Team for 2018.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jayru Campbell, JR, QB, Ferris State
Defensive Player of the Year: Markus Jones, DE, Angelo State
Special Teams Player of the Year: Dante Brown, JR, PK/P, Fort Hays State
Freshman of the Year: Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Notre Dame (Ohio)
Co-Coaches of the Year: Kerwin Bell, Valdosta State & Mike Jacobs, Notre Dame (Ohio)

First Team Offense
POS NAME HT WT YR SCHOOL HOMETOWN
QB Jayru Campbell 6-5 215 JR Ferris State Detroit, Mich.
FB Cole Chancey 5-10 200 SO Harding Commerce, Ga.
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 5-9 173 FR Notre Dame (Ohio) Marshville, N.C.
RB Gabriel Watson 6-1 221 JR Sioux Falls (S.D.) Piedmont, Calif.
WR Chad Hovasse 6-1 215 SR Adams State Colorado Springs, Colo.
WR Brody Oliver 6-3 210 SR Colorado Mines Elizabeth, Colo.
WR Craig Rucker 5-7 165 JR Mars Hill Orlando, Fla.
TE DeAndre Washington 6-2 185 JR Arkansas-Monticello Shreveport, La.
AP Tabyus Taylor 6-0 250 SO Virginia Union Hopewell, Va.
C Bryce Bray 6-0 260 SR Harding Rogers, Ark.
OG Tyler Drob 6-2 297 GR West Chester Cherry Hill, N.J.
OG Nic Sawyer 6-5 300 SR Ferris State Ann Arbor, Mich.
OT Evan Heim 6-4 305 JR Minnesota State DePere, Wis.
OT Deon Sheppard 6-4 295 SR Tarleton State San Antonio, Texas
PK Dante Brown 5-10 185 JR Fort Hays State Mississauga, Ontario
First Team Defense
POS NAME HT WT YR SCHOOL HOMETOWN
DE Markus Jones 6-3 260 SR Angelo State Fort Worth, Texas
DE Cardell Rawlings 6-2 240 SR Wingate Smithfield, N.C.
DT Heath Williams 6-2 291 JR Saginaw Valley State East Lansing, Mich.
DT Sha’Haun Williams 6-3 260 JR Notre Dame (Ohio) Youngstown, Ohio
LB Jose Delgado 5-11 205 SR Fort Hays State Derby, Kan.
LB J.T. Hassell 6-0 199 SR Florida Tech Titusville, Fla.
LB Alex Helmer 6-2 220 SR Minnesota Duluth Prescott, Wis.
S Lamont McPhatter 5-11 190 JR California (Pa.) New Castle, Pa.
S Daryus Skinner 5-11 175 JR Winston-Salem State Rockingham, N.C.
CB Corey Ballentine 6-0 204 SR Washburn Topeka, Kan.
CB Marcus Haskins 6-0 180 FR Concordia-St. Paul Cottage Grove, Minn.
RS Lyrics Klugh 5-10 170 SR Fairmont State Lyman, S.C.
P Cody Mills 5-7 190 SR Delta State Oxford, Miss.
Second Team Offense
POS NAME HT WT YR SCHOOL HOMETOWN
QB Rogan Wells 6-3 220 SO Valdosta State Fort Mill, S.C.
FB Paul Terry 5-9 200 JR Eastern New Mexico Canyon, Texas
RB Walter Fletcher 5-10 192 JR Edinboro Columbia, Md.
RB Wes Hills 6-2 218 SR Slippery Rock Wildwood, N.J.
WR James Brania-Hopp 6-0 200 SR Washburn Montville, N.J.
WR Trey Brock 6-3 218 JR Hillsdale Missouri City, Texas
WR Juwan Johnson 5-10 175 SO Midwestern State Springfield, Mo.
TE Erik Henneman 6-3 228 SR Lindenwood Gretna, La.
AP Ashton Dulin 6-2 210 SR Malone Reynoldsburg, Ohio
C Jeremy King 6-1 315 SR Valdosta State Macon, Ga.
OG Jason Poe 6-2 250 SO Lenoir-Rhyne Fitzgerald, Ga.
OG Hunter Toppel 6-4 300 SO Minnesota State DeForest, Wis.
OT Devon Johnson 6-7 310 SR Ferris State Aurora, Ill.
OT Ben Walling 6-5 295 SR Grand Valley State Independence, Ky.
PK Kristov Martinez 5-6 135 SR Texas A&M-Commerce Edinburg, Texas
Second Team Defense
POS NAME HT WT YR SCHOOL HOMETOWN
DE James Prater, Jr. 6-0 244 SR Ashland Columbus, Ohio
DE T.J. Winslow 6-4 250 SR Harding Houston, Texas
DT Derek Dorr 6-3 297 SR Edinboro Blasdell, N.Y.
DT Simanu’a Thomas 6-0 278 JR Pittsburg State Independence, Mo.
LB Kailen Abrams 6-2 235 SO Central State (Ohio) Detroit, Mich.
LB Michael Alexander 6-0 235 SR Saginaw Valley State Midland, Mich.
LB Sam Heyboer 6-5 240 SO Ferris State Grand Rapids, Mich.
S Gunner Olszewski 5-10 180 SR Bemidji State Alvin, Texas
S Brian Williams 6-1 190 SR Davenport Detroit, Mich.
CB Antonio Clark 5-9 160 SR Colorado Mesa Denver, Colo.
CB Zuril Hendrick 6-1 188 SR Edinboro Rochester, N.Y.
RS Reggie Kincade 5-11 170 SR Texas A&M-Commerce Everman, Texas
P Josh Carlson 6-0 165 FR Dixie State Gilbert, Ariz.
Third Team Offense
POS NAME HT WT YR SCHOOL HOMETOWN
QB Amir Hall 6-4 195 SR Bowie State Bowie, Md.
QB Chance Stewart 6-6 263 SR Hillsdale Sturgis, Mich.
FB Chris Eastburn 6-0 244 SR Arkansas Tech Pearcy, Ark.
RB Marcus Jones 5-11 225 SR Gannon Painesville, Ohio
RB Cameron Mayberry 5-11 215 JR Colorado Mines Stillwater, Okla.
WR Peter Anderson 5-10 155 JR Colorado Mesa Centennial, Colo.
WR Ardell Brown 5-11 180 JR Seton Hill Rochester, N.Y.
WR Daniel Davis 5-11 170 JR Southwest Minnesota Tarpon Springs, Fla.
TE Qua Boyd 6-5 245 SR West Alabama Lafayette, Ala.
AP Jake Wenzlick 5-9 183 JR Michigan Tech Meridian, Mich.
C A.J. Roland 6-1 280 SR Midwestern State Sachese, Texas
OG LaVonne Gauthney 6-3 315 SR Valdosta State Reynoldsburg, Ohio
OG Keith Pledger 6-1 270 SR Harding Lonoke, Ark.
OT Chris Coles 6-3 280 SR LIU-Post Hackensack, N.J.
OT Quentin Stanford 6-4 312 SR West Georgia Warner Robins, Ga.
PK Jefferson Souza 6-1 185 SO Virginia Union Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Third Team Defense
POS NAME HT WT YR SCHOOL HOMETOWN
DE Austen Eskew 6-4 248 SR Northwest Missouri Lawson, Mo.
DE Chris Garrett 6-4 230 SO Concordia-St. Paul Milwaukee, Wis.
DT John Cominsky 6-5 275 SR Charleston (W.Va.) Barberton, Ohio
DT Tyrell Thompson 6-4 290 SR Tarleton State Copperas Cove, Texas
LB Chris Hoad 6-0 228 JR Texas-Permian Basin Leander, Texas
LB Austin Stephens 5-11 210 JR Miles Munford, Ala.
LB Tyler Thomsen 6-1 225 JR Wayne State (Neb.) Fremont, Neb.
S Doyin Jibowu 6-2 200 SR Fort Hays State Denver, Colo.
S Delon Stephenson 5-11 205 JR Ferris State Sayreville, N.J.
CB Roderick Chapman 5-9 175 SR Missouri S&T Los Angeles, Calif.
CB Aaron Watson 5-11 165 SO North Greenville (S.C.) Duncan, S.C.
RS LaPerion Perry 5-6 155 FR West Georgia LaGrange, Ga.
P Jacob Hall 6-2 195 SR Azusa Pacific Greenville, Ill.
Honorable Mention
ALPHABETICAL, BY SCHOOL — Adams State: Marquese Surrell, AP; Assumption: Deonte Harris, RS; Augustana: Joey Newman, DE; Azusa Pacific: Aaron Berry, LB; Benedict: Traviontae Brown, CB; Rickym Holmes, DT; Bentley: Pete Thorbahn, CB; Bowie State: Joshua Pryor, DT; Lansana Sesay, WR; California (Pa.): Nelson Brown, RB; Carson-Newman: Phil McDowell, OG; Antonio Wimbush, RB; Catawba: Jourdan Osinskie, TE; Quinzavious Sands, OG; Central Missouri: Kyrion Parker, WR; Derrick Puni, OT; Central Oklahoma: Noah Hammons, OG; O’Shay Harris, CB; Central State (Ohio): Kevin Greenhow, WR; Terraris Saffold, AP; Central Washington: Ryan Hennessey, QB; James Moore, OT; Chowan: Donald Boone, OT; Tyrell Freeman, RB; Clarion: Brandon Vocco, DT; Clark Atlanta: Kameron Rogers, DE; Colorado Mines: Grant Stewart, C; Colorado State-Pueblo: Mitchell Carter, PK; Preston Guerra, TE; Brayton Medina, OT; Darius Williams, CB: Michael Wristen, DE; Delta State: Darren Gardenhire, CB; Dixie State: Tevia Tolutau, OG; East Central (Okla.): Jack Preston, P; East Stroudsburg: Mike Fleming, OT; Edinboro: Brandon Anderson, S; Emporia State: Braxton Marstall, QB; Findlay: Brian Benson, RB; Fairmont State: Chandler Zavala, OG; Fayetteville State: Brandon Smith, RS; Florida Tech: Romell Guerrier, WR; Fort Hays State: Dante Brown, P; Wyatt Parker, DT; Harding: Sam Blankenship, LB; Hillsdale: Wyatt Batdorff, S; Drew Callahan, C; Indiana (Pa.): Jeff Arnold, C; Indianapolis: Dan McHale, C; Al McKeller, RB; Robert Williams, CB; Kentucky State: Marcus Campbell, Jr., OT; Kutztown: Craig Reynolds, AP; Lenoir-Rhyne: Kyle Dugger, RS; Dan Louba, DT; Limestone: Joshua Simmons, S; Lock Haven: Jalen Jackson, TE; LIU-Post: Jake Carlock, LB; Kevin Petit-Frere, DE; Nazir Streeter, CB; McKendree: Josh Larazo, PK; Mercyhurst: Theo Blackston, FB; Brendan Cole, P; Midwestern State: Kevin Fisher, Jr., OG; Sir’Vell Ford, S; Vincent Johnson, RB; Jayton Rabb, QB; Minnesota Duluth: Jason Anderson, C; Trapper Ward, OT; Minnesota State: Zach Dodge, DT; Minnesota State-Moorhead: Jake Richter, WR; Mississippi College: Tiberias Lampkin, FB; Detric Hawthorn, RB; Missouri S&T: Bo Brooks, LB; Braxton Graham, WR; Tershawn Wharton, DE; Missouri Western: Tyler Basch, PK; Brandin Dandridge, RS; Morehouse: Jean Cyriaque, OG; Newberry: Jamarcus Henderson, DE; Shea Rodgers, P; New Haven: Dan Iannone, OT; Ju’an Williams, WR; New Mexico Highlands: Israel Farfan, PK; North Carolina-Pembroke: Tyler Hinton, DE; Northern Michigan: Jake Mayon, RB; Northern State: Jacob Streit, TE; Northwest Missouri: Zach Flott, OT; Anthony Lane, S; Sam Roberts, DT; Notre Dame (Ohio): Jimmy Burchett, OG; Brandon Nicholson, OT; Marvelle Ross, WR; Ohio Dominican: Cory Contini, WR; Logen Neidhardt, P; Ouachita Baptist: Keandre Evans, CB; Kris Oliver, RB; Pittsburg State: Ryan Dodd, OT; Morgan Selemaea, S; Quincy: Cody Leonard, LB; Saginaw Valley State: Chad Gailliard, WR; St. Cloud State: Sam Hartman, TE; Shepherd (W.Va.): Jaime Colon, C; D.J. Cornish, TE; Shippensburg: Luke Durkin, FB; Josh Gontarek, WR; Dakota Thompson, DE; Sioux Falls (S.D.): Hakeem Johnson, CB; Slippery Rock: Jake Chapla, PK; Steve Gaviglia, OT; Colten Raabe, OG; Brad Zaffram, LB; South Dakota Mines: Isaiah Manley, AP; Jake Sullivan, QB; Southern Arkansas: KaRonce Higgins, WR; Davondrick Lison, DE; Barrett Renner, QB; Tarleton State: Jai Edwards, S; Devin Hafford, CB; Jovan Pruitt, OG; Xavier Turner, RB; Texas A&M-Commerce: Michael Onuoha, DE; Amon Simon, OT; Texas A&M-Kingsville: Brent Hertel, FB; Tiffin: Daijohn Isbell, S; Truman: Lawrence Woods, RS; Valdosta State: Jamar Thompkins, RB; Virginia State: Frank Ball, OT; Wayne State (Mich.): Tommy Richardson, OG; West Alabama: Brandon Anderson, OT; West Chester: Jerry Elder, S; Diquan Gilbert, DE; Tyler Morrissey, LB; West Florida: Marvin Conley, S; West Georgia: Omar Cervantes, PK; Devontae Jackson, RB; Montrell Pardue, S; West Liberty: Josh Ojo, CB; West Texas A&M: John Cummings, P; Wingate: Chris Birozes, P; Davion Washington, CB; Winona State: Isaiah Hall, RS.

HAYS, Kan. – Northwest Missouri State hit five of their 14 three-pointers in the first five and a half minutes and had an answer to every Fort Hays State run and beat the Tigers 81-69 in front of 3,855 Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. The second ranked Bearcats remain unbeaten and run their road winning streak to 10 games while picking up their 14th straight conference win going back to last season. They have also won eight straight over the Tigers.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Kyler Kinnamon Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Brady Werth hit a couple of threes for the Tigers (13-6, 7-3 MIAA) to give them a five-point lead three minutes in but the Bearcats (19-0, 9-0 MIAA) answered with a 13-0 run and never trailed again.

The Tigers, who suffered their first loss of the season on their home floor, pulled within five on a Devin Davis put back with 10:42 to play in the game but a 9-2 Bearcat run pushed their lead to 12 with 7:28 left.

Werth finished 4-for-6 from beyond the arc and led the Tigers with 18 points. Davis came off the bench to add 10.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Hudgins led four Bearcats in double-figures with a career-high 30 points. Joey Witthus hit six threes and added 24 points. He and Hudgins combined to go 9-for-14 from beyond the arc.

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State used a big first half run to build a double-figure lead then held off Missouri Western’s second half comeback bid to beat the Griffons 84-74 in front of 2,415 Thursday night at Gross Coliseum to move into a second place tie with Pittsburg State in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State was held scoreless for the first 3:37 then went on a 26-2 run over the next seven and a half minutes to go up 19 and led by 13 at halftime.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Brady Werth Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

FHSU (13-5, 7-2 MIAA) was up 15 with 11:28 to play but the Griffons (8-11, 2-6 MIAA) outscored them 26-14 over the next nine minutes and pulled within three with 2:32 to play.

Kyler Kinnamon hit a three with the shot clock winding down on the Tigers next possession to push the lead to six. Marcus Cooper hit a driving layup with 43 seconds left to get it back to six. The Tigers then hit five of their eight free throws in the final 30 seconds to seal the win.

Brady Werth led four Tigers in double-figures with 21 points including 4-for-4 from three-point range. Marcus Cooper added 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Aaron Nicolson scored 13 and Kinnamon 10.

Lavon Hightower went 6-for-9 from beyond the arc and led the Griffons with a season-high 29 points.

The Tigers move to 9-0 at home this season. They host No. 2 Northwest Missouri State Saturday at 4pm.

HAYS, Kan. – Whitney Randall came off the bench to score a game-high 14 points, Tatyana Legette tied her career high with 15 rebounds and the eighth-ranked Fort Hays State women used a big third quarter run to beat Missouri Western State 67-50 Thursday in front of 2,381 at Gross Coliseum to move back into sole possession of first place in the MIAA.

Randall and Taylor Rolfs came off the bench and scored a combined 17 points in the first half as the Tigers (17-1, 8-1 MIAA) built a a 37-24 halftime lead.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

After the Griffons (9-8, 4-4 MIAA) scored the first four points of the third quarter, FHSU went on an 18-2 run to push their lead to 25. They were still up 25 with 5:33 to play in the fourth quarter before the Griffons scored 10 unanswered.

Rolfs and Lanie Page both added 11 points for Fort Hays State who turned the ball over a season-high 18 times.

The Tigers finished 6-of-17 from three-point range, five of them coming in the first half.

They are back at home Saturday afternoon to play Northwest Missouri State at 2pm.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs hired Steve Spagnuolo as their defensive coordinator Thursday, moving swiftly to replace Bob Sutton after his unit’s dismal performance against the Patriots in the AFC title game.

Spagnuolo began his coaching career as Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s assistant in Philadelphia, where he worked with several position groups over the course of eight seasons. He left to become the Giants’ defensive coordinator, and has held similar roles with the Saints and Ravens.

He’s best known for his two stints as head coach, though. Spagnuolo went 10-38 over three seasons with the St. Louis Rams and 1-3 as the Giants’ interim coach during the 2017 season.

“Steve is a bright defensive mind with a lot of coaching experience and success in our league,” Reid said in a statement. “I know him well from our time together in Philadelphia and I feel that his leadership skills and teaching abilities, combined with his scheme, will be a great fit for our team.”

Spagnuolo, who spent last season out of coaching, has primarily run a 4-3 defense, which would be a change from the 3-4 scheme that Sutton had run. But the Chiefs drafted last season as if they planned to move forward with two defensive tackles and two defensive ends, so the adjustment should not be a big one for a defense that returns many of its key pieces.

One big change will be the mentality of the defense.

Sutton orchestrated a bend-but-don’t-break approach to defense, while Spagnuolo — who learned under defensive mastermind Jim Johnson — prefers an aggressive, blitz-oriented approach. But he’s also been willing to adapt, running variations of his defensive scheme with the Giants.

Sutton was fired Tuesday, two days after his defense collapsed in the fourth quarter and overtime in a 37-31 loss to New England. The Chiefs failed to stop the Patriots in OT, meaning star quarterback Patrick Mahomes never got an opportunity to step on the field.

That was likely the final straw for Sutton, whose defenses regularly ranked among the worst in the NFL the past few seasons. The Chiefs were particularly bad against the run this season, and they allowed at least 29 points in each of their five losses this season.

Spagnuolo doesn’t come without some concerns, either.

While his Giants defenses finished in the top 10 three times, two of his last three units were last and second-to-last in yards allowed. And while the Eagles were regularly stout with Johnson as the coordinator and Spagnuolo in various roles, his Saints defense in 2012 allowed more yards than any other in history and Spagnuolo was ultimately fired after the season.

Now, the attention in Kansas City turns to Spagnuolo’s personnel.

Pass rusher Dee Ford is ready to hit free agency, though it’s becoming increasingly likely that he will be franchised. Defensive end Allen Bailey is also a free agent, while defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback Kendall Fuller are likely candidates for contract extensions.

Longtime safety Eric Berry has been beset by injuries the past few years, and he is set to take up $16.5 million of the salary cap next season, while linebacker Justin Houston carries a cap hit of $21.1 million next season. The Chiefs could cut both over the summer and free up substantial space, or they could attempt to restructure their deals for a more manageable number.

The Chiefs will be looking to plug holes just about everywhere on defense, but particularly at cornerback and middle linebacker. They are projected to have about $32 million in salary cap space and will have one first-round pick and two second-rounders in the upcoming draft.

Despite taking its first loss of the season, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team remains in the top 10 of both national polls this week, released Tuesday (Jan. 22). The Tigers currently sit in eighth in the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll while ranking seventh in the D2SIDA National Media Poll.

Fort Hays State was listed atop a pair of ballots in the media poll. The Tigers picked up 435 points in the coaches poll, just two points back of seventh, and 291 points in the media rankings, five points behind sixth place.

This is the second time the Tigers have been ranked eighth in the coaches poll, but Thursday’s contest will be their first time playing as the eighth-ranked team in the country. FHSU was ranked eighth in the final coaches poll of the 2014-15 season after reaching the regional finals.

The Tigers are now 67-23 all-time while ranked in the coaches poll, including a 48-10 mark when ranked in the top 10.

Fort Hays State is the lone MIAA representative in the media poll, while two other league schools leapt into the coaches poll this week. Pittsburg State sits in 23rd while Central Missouri is ranked 25th.

After a pair of road contests, the Tigers return to Gross Memorial Coliseum for two more conference matchups this week. FHSU opens the week against Missouri Western Thursday (Jan. 24) at 5:30 p.m.

Below are the complete national polls for January 22, 2019.

WBCA DII Coaches Poll – Week 9						D2SIDA Media Poll – Week 9
Rk.	Team (1st)	Rcd.	Pts.	Prev.		Rk.	Team (1st)	Rcd.	Pts.	Prev.
1	Indiana (Pa.) (22)	15-0	598	1		1	Northwest Nazarene (9)	16-0	361	2
2	Drury (2)	17-0	577	2		2	Drury (2)	17-0	355	3
3	Northwest Nazarene	16-0	542	4		3	IUP (1)	14-0	342	4
4	UC San Diego	15-0	515	5		4	Jefferson	18-0	323	T5
5	Ashland	17-1	488	6		5	UC San Diego	15-0	297	7
6	Thomas Jefferson Univ.	19-0	446	10		6	Florida Southern	16-1	296	8
7	Union (Tenn.)	17-1	437	7		7	Fort Hays State (2)	16-1	291	1
8	Fort Hays State	16-1	435	3		8	Union	17-1	263	9
9	University of the Sciences	16-1	402	11		9	USciences	16-1	236	11
10	Alaska Anchorage	14-1	388	12		10	Lewis	14-2	232	10
11	Virginia Union	15-1	369	12		11	Anderson (S.C.)	15-2	228	13
12	Florida Southern	16-1	324	14		12	California	14-1	214	12
13	California (Pa.)	15-1	292	15		13	Colorado Mesa (1)	14-1	209	19
14	West Texas A&M	14-2	264	8		14	Southwestern Okla.	15-1	198	16
15	Grand Valley State	16-2	259	9		15	Alaska Anchorage	15-1	176	15
16	Southwestern Oklahoma St.	15-1	236	17		16	Virginia Union	15-1	144	17
17	Bentley	16-2	228	16		17	Ashland	17-1	127	18
18	Lewis	14-2	198	18		18	North Georgia	12-2	115	20
19	Angelo State	12-2	152	19		19	Angelo State	12-2	100	24
20	Colorado Mesa	14-1	139	23		20	Bentley	16-2	96	21
21	Anderson (S.C.)	15-2	126	21		21	MSU Moorehead	16-2	84	22
22	North Georgia	12-2	96	22		22	Lee	15-3	63	23
23	Pittsburg State	15-2	80	NR		23	West Texas A&M	14-2	62	T5
24	Minnesota State Moorhead	16-2	60	NR		24	Cal Poly Pomona	14-2	22	RV
25	Central Missouri	12-4	43	NR		25	Carson-Newman	14-4	11	NR

 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Brett Meyer has been named MIAA Track Athlete of the Week following an impressive finish in the 800-meters at the Northwest Open this past weekend the conference announced Tuesday (Jan. 22).

Meyer captured first place in the event with his qualifying time of 1:52.17. This finish placed Meyer atop a field of 65 total runners, with 24 MIAA competitors. The pace was also the fastest MIAA time clocked so far this season. Meyer now ranks No. 7 in the nation in the 800-meters.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Marcus Cooper scored 19 of his team-high 22 points in the second half, Brady Werth added 20 but a late run by Washburn lifted the Ichabods to an 80-73 win over Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon at Lee Arena.

The loss snaps the Tigers (12-5, 6-2 MIAA) four-game win streak while Washburn (13-3, 6-1 MIAA) wins for the sixth time in seven games and has now won seven of their last eight at home over the Tigers.

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The Tigers trailed by 12 with 16 minutes to play then went on a 27-9 run to go up seven with with 7:25 to play. They were still up seven with 5:10 to play but get outscored 20-6 the rest of the way.

Nyjee Wright came off the bench to score 11 for the Tigers.

David Salach scored a career-high 24 for Washburn. Javion Blake added 19. Both did the majority of the scoring in the Ichabods final push.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Tatyana Legette scored a game-high 18 points in the final game in her hometown and the third-ranked Fort Hays State women bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 59-51 in over Washburn at Lee Arena.

Legette pulled down a game-best eight rebounds as the Tigers (16-1, 7-1 MIAA) end Washburn’s nine-game win streak and hand them their conference loss.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

After Washburn (1105, 6-1 MIAA) scored the game’s first points, the Tigers went on a 7-0 run to take the lead for good. Kacey Kennett hit a deep three to end the first quarter and put FHSU up 19-12. A 10-0 second quarter run extended their lead to 16 late in the second quarter.

The Tigers scored the first basket in the fourth quarter but Washburn answered with a 15-4 run to close the gap to six with a little over two minutes to play.

Legette hit a key second chance basket on the Tigers next possession to push the lead to eight with under two to play.

Belle Barbiere scored 11 points and Lanie Page added 10 along with seven rebounds.

Taylor Blue hit two of Washburn’s three fourth quarter 3-pointers and lead the Ichabods with 14 points.

 

HAYS, Kan. – The No. 12 ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team dropped the non-conference dual to the Colorado School of Mines on Thursday, 16-15, inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. The Tigers dipped to 1-5 in duals this season, while the Orediggers improved to 9-1 in dual matches.

In a battle of many decisions, Broderick Green dropped the opening bout to Matt Lavengood in a tight-knit 5-3 match. Green moved to 8-15 on the year. Conrad Cole put the Tigers on the board in the 133-pound bout after securing a 3-2 decision over Jake Woods with a third period escape. Cole earned his eighth win of the season.

Things looked for the better for FHSU as No. 2 ranked Brandon Ball earned three more team points for the Tigers in the 141-pound match. Ball defeated Lukas Erickson with an easy 3-0 decision. With the win, Ball moves to 14-0 on the year and is now 4-0 in his Tiger career against Erickson. Ryne Cokeley fought until the end of his battle with Noah Ottum, when Ottum used a late third period escape to break the 5-5 tie and win in a decision, 7-5. Through four matches, Fort Hays State and Colorado School of Mines were even, 6-6.

No. 4 ranked Efe Osaghae stayed at his normal weight class (157 pounds) and gave the Tigers the 9-6 edge with a narrow 8-6 decision over Skyler Lykins. Osaghae earned his 16th victory in the process. Back and forth it was, as Jonathan Ball fell victim to a tough match against Keenan Willits. Willits won by another decision in the match, this time 11-4. FHSU and Mines were once again all square, 9-9, with four bouts to go.

At 174 pounds, No. 9 ranked Marty Verhaeghe couldn’t get anything going against Robert Gambrell and was shutout in an 8-0 major decision, giving the Orediggers the four-point, 13-9 team advantage on the scoreboard. Micquille Robinson pulled the Tigers back within one point with a nail-biting 4-2 decision over Connor Ventura in the 184-pound match. With two matches remaining in the dual, the Orediggers held the 13-12 edge over the Tigers.

True freshman Tyler Boone was called upon to wrestle two weight classes higher than normal and held his own until getting taken down in the final seconds of the third period to fall to Jake Feldman in a 6-4 decision of the 197-pound bout. The Tigers needed four points to tie the match and have a possible tie-breaking scenario when A.J. Cooper stepped onto the mat for the 285-pound battle with Weston Hunt. Cooper fell down early in the first period after Hunt picked up a takedown. Before too long Cooper earned an escape to close the gap to 2-1 after one frame. In the second round, Hunt escape Cooper’s grasp initially for one-point to lead 3-1, before Cooper earned his first takedown of the bout. Going into the third frame, the wrestlers were tied 3-3. Cooper eventually came out on top as he held off a late charge by Hunt in the final minute of the match. The 7-6 decision wasn’t enough point for the Tigers to overcome and the Orediggers earned their ninth dual victory of the season.

FHSU is back in action on Saturday (Jan. 19) when they travel north to Kearney, Neb. for the Midwest Duals. First up is a date with Colorado Mesa at 9 a.m. before taking on No. 7 ranked CSU-Pueblo at 10:30 a.m.