HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State head women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson has announced the signing of a pair of student-athletes for the 2019-20 season. Allison McFarren and Lauryn Reither will both join the Tiger family as true freshmen in the fall of 2019.

Allison McFarren | 5-5 | Point Guard
Wichita, Kan. | Bishop Carroll Catholic High School

Allison McFarren comes to Hays via Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita. The point guard earned first team Class 5A All-State honors as a junior in 2018 from both the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association as well as Sports in Kansas. McFarren has helped Golden Eagles to three straight sub-state titles, finishing runner-up at the State Championships in 2018 after a third-place finish in 2016. She was named first team Greater Wichita Athletic League All-City as a junior after picking up honorable mention status as a sophomore. McFarren averaged 10 points, four rebounds and four assists per game as a junior.

“Allison is a quick, hard-nosed point guard that also has the ability to play the wing position,” said Hobson.” While she is a capable scorer, her on-ball defense and high energy stand out as her strengths. She is also an outstanding student and plans to major in pre-med.”

Lauryn Reither | 5-5 | Point Guard
Oklahoma City, Okla. | Putnam City High School

Lauryn Reither joins the Tigers after a decorated career at Putnam City High School outside Oklahoma City. A point guard, Reither averaged more than 20 points a game while totaling 2.7 steals, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists each night. She twice earned first team All-Conference honors while being listed on the VYPE Top 100 list as a sophomore and a junior. Reither was named to The Oklahoman’s Big All-City roster twice as an honorable mention selection.

“Lauryn is a slick ball-handling point guard,” said Hobson. “She has a knack for getting to the basket and is an excellent passer. Her ability to hit the three makes her an excellent combo guard able to play multiple positions.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Fort Hays State men’s soccer team completed the 2018 season ranked at No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Poll. The Tigers finished at No. 4, their highest ranking in the poll in team history (previous high was No. 9, 9/25/12).

Fort Hays State earned their first trip to the National Semifinals in team history, earning a draw with Barry (Fla.) in regulation and both overtime periods. The Tigers fell to the Buccaneers on penalty kicks, 5-4, ending their season 17-2-2 overall. FHSU’s 17 victories topped the program record for wins in a season.

FHSU enjoyed 12 All-MIAA selections which included Santiago Agudelo, Abdoulaye Cisse, Raul Fierro, Tobias Patino, Fernando Pina, Luis Torres, Moritz Walther, Arsenio Chamorro, Rogelio Lopez, Alonso Rodriguez, Sergio Villalba and Caesar Jones. Agudelo was named MIAA Player of the Year, Lopez was named MIAA Freshman of the Year and head coach Brett Parker was named Coach of the Year.

Eight of those all-conference selections earned D2CCA All-Central Region nods, which included Agudelo, Torres, Pina, Cisse, Patino, Walther, Fierro and Villalba. Agudelo was named Central Region Player of the Year.

Five of those players earned United Soccer Coaches All-Central Region honors; Agudelo, Fierro, Patino, Pina and Torres.

Three of those all-region selections earned D2CCA All-America Honors. Agudelo earned First-Team honors at Forward, Torres earned Second-Team honors at Defender and Pina earned Third-Team honors at Goalkeeper. Agudelo was named D2CCA National Player of the Year.

Fort Hays State has now made seven-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament after the program has existed only eight years. Head Coach Brett Parker has an overall record of 100-40-17 guiding the program all eight years.

Below is the final United Soccer Coaches Poll for the 2018 season.

 

Rank	School	Previous	W-L-T
1	Barry University	20	17-3-2
2	West Chester	23	16-4-4
3	Cal Poly Pomona	RV	17-6-0
4	Fort Hays State	11	17-2-2
5	Lander University	8	16-1-2
6	Adelphi University	9	16-4-2
7	Young Harris College	1	17-1-0
8	West Texas A&M	13	17-3-2
9	Univ. of Charleston	3	17-1-2
10	Ohio Valley University	NR	17-6-1
11	Palm Beach Atlantic	2	18-1-1
12	Azusa Pacific University	7	17-2-1
13	Lynn University	24	11-4-3
14	Simon Fraser	4	17-2-0
15	Midwestern State	6	16-1-2
16	Colorado School of Mines	5	17-2-1
17	Colorado Mesa	25	13-3-5
18	Tiffin University	12	15-4-1
19	LIU Post	14	14-5-1
20	Saginaw Valley State	22	11-3-6
21	Spring Hill College	10	16-2-0
22	Northeastern State	19	14-3-1
23	Notre Dame College	16	14-4-1
24	CSU-Los Angeles	18	14-3-3
25	Mercy College	21	13-4-1

Also receiving votes: Tusculum University, Anderson University (S.C.), Wilmington University, University of Southern Indiana, Limestone College, Millersville University, Bellarmine University.

HAYS, Kan. – Brady Werth matched his season high with 27 points, Aaron Nicholson and Kyler Kinnamon both hit key 3-pointers in the final two minutes to lead Fort Hays State to a 76-73 win over Nebraska-Kearney at Gross Coliseum.

 

Mark Johnson Postgame Interview

Brady Werth Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

In a game that saw 10 ties and 22 lead changes, the Tigers (5-3, 1-0 MIAA) needed a 7-0 run late in the first half to take a one-point halftime lead after trailing by six. They scored six straight midway through the second half to build a five-point lead, their largest of the game.

Aaron Nicholson hit a 3-pointer with just over two minutes to play to tie the game 71-71. Kyler Kinnamon’s three on the Tigers next possession gave them the lead for good. Marcus Cooper hit two free throws with nine seconds to play. Chase Winchester then missed a contested three for UNK (3-4, 0-1 MIAA) at the horn.

Devin Davis scored 13 points and Aaron Nicholson added 12 and dished out five assists.

Werth went 9-for-16 from the field and 8-for-11 from the free throw line and played 38 minutes.

Freshman Henry Penner hit five 3-pointers and scored a career-high 17 to lead the Lopers.

FHSU returns to action Saturday afternoon against Emporia State.

HAYS, Kan. – Tatyana Legette scored 23 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, Kacey Kennett added 15 points to lead Fort Hays State to a hard fought 62-53 win over Nebraska-Kearney in front of 2,213 Tuesday at Gross Coliseum.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

The ninth-ranked Tigers (7-0, 1-0 MIAA) raced out to an early seven-point lead only to see UNK (3-4, 0-1 MIAA) rally to take a couple of one point leads. FHSU responded with an 18-4 run to push their lead to 14 late in the second quarter.

The Lopers got as close as two late in the third and early in the fourth quarter but a 12-2 Tiger run pushed the lead to 12 and sealed the win.

FHSU shot 36-percent from the floor and hit on only three of their 17 three-point attempts and were 0-for-7 from beyond the arc in the second half but went 23-of-29 from the foul line.

Sophomore Kelsey Sanger scored 21, one off her career high, to lead the Lopers.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State junior Brandon Ball was named MIAA Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday (Dec. 4) for his efforts this past week at the Bob Smith Open. This is the second honor for Ball in his Tiger career.

Ranked No. 4 nationally at 141 pounds, Brandon Ball won the FHSU-Bob Smith Open with a 4-0 record for the weekend. He defeated David Hunter (University of Saint Mary) with a 15-0 technical fall in the first round. Ball advanced to the semifinals after pinning teammate Josh Lenker (Fort Hays State) in 2:34. He then pinned Baylor Smith (Newman) in 4:19 to advance to the title bout. He capped off a perfect day with a 5-0 decision over Conner Ward (Arkansas-Little Rock). Ball earned his 12th individual tournament title as a Tiger in the process. He is 8-0 to start the 2018-19 season.

Ball and the rest of the Tiger wrestlers will be back in action this weekend as they get set for their first dual of the season on Friday (Dec. 7) when they face off with Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. The dual is set to commence at 7 p.m. FHSU will then square off in the Jet Invitational on Sunday (Dec. 9) in Wichita, Kan. at 9 a.m.

dominating 106-45 victory over Missouri Valley last weekend was enough to convince voters to slide the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team up in both national polls, released Tuesday (Dec. 4). The Tigers are now ranked ninth in the WBCA Coaches Poll and sixth in the D2SIDA Media Poll, up one spot in the coaches ranking and two slots in the media rendition from a week ago.

Additionally, the Tigers are in sole possession of first place in the weekly D2SIDA Central Region Rankings after being tied for first a week ago. FHSU received four of the five first place votes, with the final top selection going to 2nd-ranked Central Missouri.

The Tigers are one of four MIAA programs listed in the top 25 this week, joined in the coaches rankings by No. 7 Central Missouri, No. 23 Central Oklahoma and No. 24 Emporia State. The media poll lists Central Missouri eighth and Central Oklahoma 15th.

Fort Hays State is one of 19 undefeated teams remaining in NCAA Division II, including three in the MIAA (Central Oklahoma and Lincoln). The Tigers lead the nation in turnovers per game, giving the ball up just 10.2 times per night, while ranking second in turnover margin (plus-12.17) and assist/turnover ratio (1.52).

The Tigers are 1-1 all-time as the ninth-ranked team in the WBCA poll, with both games coming on the road. FHSU will play inside Gross Memorial Coliseum for the first time ever as the ninth-ranked team in the country Tuesday, December 4 against Nebraska-Kearney and Saturday, December 8 against No. 24 Emporia State.

Below are the complete national rankings for December 4, 2018.

WBCA Coaches Poll – Week 3						D2SIDA Media Poll – Week 3
Rank	Team (1st)	Record	Points	Previous		Rank	Team (1st)	Record	Points	Previous
1	Ashland (24)	7-0	600	1		1	Union (11)	7-0	393	1
2	Union (Tenn.)	7-0	571	2		2	Ashland (5)	7-0	389	2
3	Indiana (Pa.)	7-0	541	3		3	Bentley	8-0	361	4
4	West Texas A&M	8-0	520	5		4	West Texas A&M	8-0	353	5
5	Bentley	8-0	489	6		5	Virginia Union	8-0	335	6
6	Drury	8-0	462	8		6	Fort Hays State	6-0	318	8
7	Central Missouri	6-1	449	7		7	Northwest Nazarene	8-0	296	10
8	Virginia Union	8-0	423	9		8	Central Missouri	6-1	274	7
9	Fort Hays State	6-0	402	10		9	Lewis	6-1	263	9
10	Northwest Nazarene	8-0	356	15		10	USciences	6-0	250	11
11	University of the Sciences	6-0	355	12		11	IUP	7-0	231	13
12	UC San Diego	7-0	317	14		12	UC San Diego	7-0	206	19
13	Alaska Anchorage	7-1	301	4		13	North Georgia	6-1	200	20
14	Black Hills State	5-0	298	13		14	Drury	8-0	198	14
15	Grand Valley State	6-1	239	16		15	Central Oklahoma	7-0	144	21
16	North Georgia	6-1	211	16		16	Angelo State	4-0	139	NR
17	California (Pa.)	7-0	180	20		17	California	7-0	127	RV
18	Florida Southern	5-1	135	21		18	Alaska Anchorage	7-1	125	3
19	Stonehill	7-1	119	23		19	Jefferson	7-0	124	23
20	Carson-Newman	6-2	114	11		20	Florida Southern	5-1	114	2
21	Angelo State	4-0	109	NR		21	Black Hills State	5-0	94	25
22	Lewis	6-1	99	24		22	Wingate	6-2	84	NR
23	Central Oklahoma	7-0	87	NR		23	Carson-Newman	6-2	42	16
24	Emporia State	6-1	80	25		24	Augustana	8-1	30	RV
25	Thomas Jefferson Univ.	7-0	75	NR		25	Eckerd	5-1	30	NR

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches released its Region Coaching Staffs of the Year for the 2018 season. Fort Hays State is the recipient for men’s soccer in the Central Region. Head coach Brett Parker adds another honor to his collection this season after earning MIAA Coach of the Year, while assistants Jordan Melia and Luca Anelli earn recognition as assistant coaches on staff at FHSU.

In 2018, Parker and staff helped Fort Hays State to its most successful season in program history finishing 17-2-2 overall. The Tigers were national semifinalists for the first time in school history after defeating Northeastern State and Ohio Valley in the national tournament to advance to the semifinals. Fort Hays State became the first men’s team in history to post a perfect record in MIAA play, going 8-0 in their conference schedule. Parker now has an overall record of 100-40-17 in eight seasons guiding the Tigers, helping the team to seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in the program’s young eight-year history.

Each of the staffs receiving Regional Staff of the Year honors will be recognized at the College Coaches Awards Reception on Jan. 10, 2019 at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago.

Regional Staffs of the Year – NCAA Division II Men
Region School Head Coach
Atlantic West Chester University Michael Benn
Central Fort Hays State University Brett Parker
East Adelphi University Gary Book
Midwest Tiffin University Rudy Brownell
South Barry University Steve McCrath
South Central West Texas A&M University Butch Lauffer
Southeast Young Harris College Mark McKeever
West Cal Poly Pomona Adam Reeves

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Fort Hays State Men’s Soccer had two players named to the All-Tournament Team for the NCAA Division II Championships following completion of the tournament this past weekend. Raul Fierro, senior defender, and Alonso Rodriguez, freshman forward, earned the honors.

Fierro had a great senior season as a defender with the Tigers. He earned All-MIAA First Team honors this year and was a two-time All-MIAA selection overall. He was also an All-Central Region Team selection by both the United Soccer Coaches Association and D2CCA this year. Fierro helped the Tigers play to a scoreless tie with Barry University (Fla.) in the national semifinal match before an eight-round penalty kick shootout eliminated the Tigers.

Rodriguez provided a late-season surge in offense for the Tigers after the national leader in scoring, Santiago Agudelo, went down with an injury in the Central Regional Final of the NCAA Tournament. Rodriguez was the spark that kept the Tigers alive in their quest to the NCAA Championships in Pittsburgh as he scored both the game-tying and game-winning goals in a 3-1 win over Northeastern State. In the national semifinal match against Barry, he led the team in shots on goal with three.

Fort Hays State finished its 2018 season at 17-2-2 overall, setting a new program record for wins in a season. The Tigers finished the season on a 16-match unbeaten streak, bookended by a pair of ties. FHSU entered the national semifinal match on a 14-match win streak.

Below is the All-Tournament Team for the NCAA Championships in Pittsburgh.

2018 NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer All-Tournament Team

Eduardo Faria, Cal Poly Pomona
Nadeer Ghantous, Cal Poly Pomona
Raul Fierro, Fort Hays State
Alonso Rodriguez, Fort Hays State
Kyle Hoops, West Chester
Jason Pixley, West Chester
Andrew Slater, West Chester
James Kirkham, Barry
Marco Sordi, Barry
Francisco Greco, Barry (Most Outstanding Player – Offense)
Stephen Kosmala, Barry (Most Outstanding Player – Defense)

The No. 16 ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team completed the Bob Smith Open with eight placers and one individual champion. Brandon Ball (141 pounds) earned his 12th individual title as a Tiger.

Redshirt-freshman Jonathan Ball (149 pounds), sophomore Efe Osaghae (157 pounds), redshirt-freshman Aryus Jones (165 pounds) and senior Nick Meck (174 pounds) all earned runner-up finishes. Freshman Cole Zebley (133-unattached) and senior Micquille Robinson (184 pounds) finished third-place. Freshman Isaiah Luellen (165-unattached) captured a fourth-place finish.

No. 4 ranked Brandon Ball finished the Bob Smith Open with a 4-0 slate. Ball defeated David Hunter (St. Mary (Kan.)) with a 15-0 technical fall in the first round. Ball advanced to the semifinals after pinning Josh Lenker (Fort Hays State) in 2:34. Ball then pinned Baylor Smith (Unattached-Newman) in 4:19 to advance to the title bout. The Great Bend, Kan. native capped off a perfect day with a 5-0 decision over Conner Ward (Unattached-Arkansas Little Rock).

Jonathan Ball completed his day with a 3-1 record. Ball defeated Kendel Fleming (St. Mary (Kan.)) by fall (1:08). In the second round, Ball defeated Logan Pine (New Mexico Highlands) by forfeit. Ball earned a spot in the title bout after picking up a 6-5 decision over Dusty Hone (Oklahoma State). The Great Bend, Kan. native fell to Dylan Martinez (Air Force Prep) by a 13-5 major decision in the 149-pound weight class title bout.

No. 4 ranked Efe Osaghae defeated Allen Michel of New Mexico Highlands with a 19-1 technical fall in the first round. In the quarterfinal round, Osaghae pinned Jerrod McKinstry (Unattached-Central Oklahoma) in 5:56. Osaghae then advanced to the title bout after defeating Wyatt Sheets of Oklahoma State with a 2-1 decision. The St. Louis, Mo. native fell to Jonce Blaylock of Oklahoma State by 5-3 decision in the 157-pound weight class championship.

Aryus Jones began his day with a bye in the first round. In the second round, Jones used an 18-0 technical fall to defeat Andrew DeArmond (Barton CC). Jones advanced to the semifinal round by using an 8-3 decision over Davonn Keyes (Northeastern JC). Jones then made his way to the title bout after pinning Billy Higgins (Unattached-Northern Colorado) in 7:00. The Junction City, Kan. native fell to Robert Denney (Unattached-Oklahoma State) by 8-7 decision in the 165-pound weight class championship.

Nick Meck received a bye in the first round. In the second round, Meck picked up a 6-4 decision over Logan Bowen (St. Mary (Kan.)). Meck then advanced to the semifinal round after defeating Christian Bahl (Oklahoma State) with a 7-3 decision. Meck earned a spot in the title bout after using a 3-2 decision over Jimmy LaConte (Western State). The Topeka, Kan. native was defeated by Travis Wittlake (Unattached-Oklahoma State) by injury default in the 174-pound weight class title match.

Cole Zebley received a bye in the first round of the 133-pound weight class. In the second round, Zebley was pinned by Tyler Lawley (Newman) in 5:47. He then received another bye, this time in the consolation second round. Zebley made his way to the consolation championship after picking up an 8-7 decision over Colby Duncan (Western State) and a forfeit over Quintel Fuchs (Northeastern JC). The Omaha, Neb. native earned a third-place finish after defeating Dakota Miller (Cloud County CC) with a 4-3 decision. Zebley wrestled unattached for Fort Hays State.

Micquille Robinson defeated Hayden Wempen (Northeastern JC) with an 11-1 major decision in the first round of the 184-pound weight class. Robinson then used a 7-0 decision to defeat Garret Niel (Air Force Prep). He was then defeated by Anthony Montalvo (Unattached-Oklahoma State) after being pinned in 1:14. Robinson defeated teammate Tyler Boone (Unattached-Fort Hays State) with a 10-0 major decision in the consolation semifinals. The Wichita, Kan. native earned a third-place finish after picking up a 3-1 decision over Barret Hughes (Oklahoma State).

Isaiah Luellen received a bye in the first round of the 165-pound weight class. He defeated Matthew Whitsitt (Kansas Wesleyan) with an 18-2 technical fall. Luellen advanced to the semifinals with an 8-6 sudden victory over Parker Benekas (Unattached-Northern Colorado). Luellen was then defeated by Robert Denney (Unattached-Oklahoma State) by 5-2 decision to fall to the consolation semifinals. Luellen then defeated Davonn Keyes (Northeastern JC) with a 12-3 major decision to advance to the consolation championship. Luellen captured a fourth-place finish after falling to Billy Higgins (Unattached-Northern Colorado) by 2-1 decision in the consolation championship bout.

The Tigers are back in action as they make their way to Edmond, Okla. for their first MIAA dual of the season. FHSU and Central Oklahoma are slated to square off on Friday (Dec. 7) at 7 p.m. The Tigers then head to Wichita, Kan. on Sunday (Dec. 9) to compete in the Jet Invitational starting at 9 a.m. one week from today.

HAYS, Kan. – Kacey Kennett scored a career-high 24 points to lead the 10th-ranked Fort Hays State women to a 106-45 rout over Missouri Valley College Saturday afternoon at Gross Coliseum. It’s the 23rd time in program history the Tigers have surpassed the century mark and the 11th time under head coach Tony Hobson.

Tony Hobson Postgame Interview

Game Highlights

Fort Hays State (6-0) forced turnovers on Missouri Valley College’s (2-7) first four possession and built an 11-0 lead  and were never threatened in the game. They scored 36 points in the third quarter to tie the MIAA record for points in a quarter they set a year ago against UC-Colorado Springs.

Kennett scored 21 of her 24 points in the game’s first 15 minutes and tied her personal best with five 3-pointers, finishing 5-of-6 from beyond the arc. She added six rebounds, two assists and three steals in the game.

Lanie Page hit three 3-pointers and added 17 points. Belle Barbiere scored 14 and Hailey walker came off the bench to add 12.

The Tigers shot 48-percent for the game including 11-of-27 from 3-point range. They outscored MVC 36-13 off of turnovers and 26-0 on second chance points thanks to 17 offensive rebounds compared to the Vikings one.

FHSU opens is back at home Tuesday for the start of MIAA play against Nebraska-Kearney.

(Photo Courtesy FHSU Athletics/Ryan Prickett)

FAYETTE, Iowa – The Fort Hays State wrestling team is in a tie with Kutztown as the Tigers and Bears are ranked No. 16 in the first regular season DII Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 poll, released Wednesday (Nov. 28) by the organization. Fort Hays State was ranked at No. 17 in the preseason poll. The Tigers are one of four MIAA teams in the national rankings as Nebraska-Kearney sits at No. 2, Lindenwood at No. 10 and Newman is at No. 25.

In the individual rankings, junior Brandon Ball held steady as the No. 4 wrestler at 141 pounds. He sits at 4-0 on the year with an individual title at the Bethany Swede Open.

Also in the rankings is Efe Osaghae, who is tabbed fourth in the 157-pound weight class. The sophomore is putting together an outstanding season thus far at 8-1.