Kansas Wrestling (all images via fhsuathletics.com)
Fort Hays State Men’s Wrestling (4-4, 3-0 MIAA)
vs. #7 Nebraska-Kearney (17-3, 3-0 MIAA)
Friday, February 9, 2024 • 7 p.m.
Hays, Kan. • Gross Memorial Coliseum
The Fort Hays State men’s wrestling team hosts conference rival No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney in a dual Friday evening (Feb. 9) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. Action on the mat is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The Tigers (4-4, 3-0 MIAA) and Lopers (17-3, 3-0 MIAA) are both undefeated in conference duals this season, with each team easily defeating Newman, Central Missouri and Ouachita Baptist to date. Fort Hays State won those three duals by a combined score of 108-35, while UNK took those three duals by a combined score of 112-22.
Fort Hays State heads into the weekend on a three-dual winning streak, including wins in 22 of the 30 bouts during those three contests.
Tereus Henry, the 10th-ranked wrestler at 197 pounds, leads the Tigers with 23 wins on the season, including a perfect 7-0 mark in duals. He is tied for the team lead with 13 bonus-point wins, including a team-best eight technical falls which is tied for first in the MIAA and ranks 13th in Division II.
D’Andre Brown, the team leader with seven major decisions, has wins at 125 pounds in each of the last four duals, improving his overall season record to 12-12. Kevin Honas has been victorious in three of the last four duals at 133 pounds, including two pins and one technical fall. Drew Bell leads all Tigers with eight pins on the year after adding two more in each of the last two duals at 141 pounds. Juan Urbina (174) and Tony Caldwell (285) both have five wins in dual action this year, tied for second on the team.
Seventh-ranked Nebraska-Kearney boasts six ranked wrestlers in the latest NWCA Coaches Poll, including No. 4 Trenton Munoz at 174, No. 5 Crew Howard at 285, No. 6 Zach Ourada at 125, No. 7 Nick James at 141, No. 8 Jackson Kinsella at 197 and No. 12 Billy Higgins at 184.
The Tigers are looking for their first win against the Lopers since 2001, with UNK winning each of the last 22 duals in the series. Fort Hays State is 26-45 all-time against the Lopers.
After battling the Lopers this weekend, Fort Hays State will wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Feb. 17) when the Tigers host top-ranked Central Oklahoma beginning at 2 p.m.
Projected Fort Hays State Lineup
125 – D’Andre Brown (12-12)
133 – Kevin Honas (9-12)
141 – Drew Bell (14-12)
149 – Marcell Dely (8-9)
157 – Hunter Harris (3-10)
165 – Cody Hicks (10-12)
174 – Juan Urbina (11-11)
184 – Matthew Rodriguez (12-11)
197 – #10 Tereus Henry (23-6)
285 – Tony Caldwell (16-9)
Extra 184 – Bryce Westmoreland (19-13)
Extra 285 – Jaxson Thomas (8-9)
Projected Nebraska-Kearney Lineup
125 – #6 Zach Ourada
133 – Drew Arnold
141 – #7 Nick James
149 – John Burger
157 – Nic Stoltenberg
165 – Kaden Hart
174 – #4 Trenton Munoz
184 – #12 Billy Higgins
197 – #8 Jackson Kinsella
285 – #5 Crew Howard
Extra 184 – Jacobi Deal
Extra 285 – Jake Boley
