Fort Hays State University wrestling kicked off its season with the Black and Gold Scrimmage on Friday evening (Nov. 8) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
Joey Dozier picked up the first win of the evening in the 149 pound preliminary match, defeating Matt Ziegler by fall at 2:12.  Later on the night, Dozier battled Noah Kilip in the challenge match.  Kilip picked up a win by decision, 5-2.  Kilip's late takedown in the third period and riding time point proved to be advantage.
 
In the 157 pound preliminary match, Kregg Clarke won by decision, 9-7, over Jace Nordyke to face Mitchell Means in a challenge match later in the evening. Means won the match by fall at 2:33.
 
Nathan Shipley defeated Ethan Dale, 7-4, in the 174 preliminary match, setting up a challenge contest against Josh Rodriguez.  Rodriguez would control the match throughout, though, picking up over five minutes of riding time and won by decision, 3-0.
 
The first challenge match of the evening saw Anthony Calderon battle Adam Ludwin in the 125 pound weight class.  Tied 3-3 in the third period, an escape by Ludwin under one minute gave the Yuma, Ariz., native a 4-3 decision.
 
Next up, Tyler Dryden dropped a 8-3 decision to Symon Seaton in the 133 pound weight class, as both wrestlers picked up the pace in the third period, scoring a majority of points in the final two minutes.
 
C.J. Napier and Rory Wilkinson faced off in the 141 pound challenge match, needing overtime for a decision.  Both wrestlers had escapes – Napier in the second and Wilkinson in the third – but Napier clinched the decision with a takedown 47 seconds into overtime.
 
At 165 pounds, Bryce Lewis and Bradley Little would face off.  Little, from Wichita, Kan., picked up a takedown early and controlled the match throughout, winning 11-4 over the junior from Minden, Neb.

Jon Inman and Cash Drylie wrestled in an exhibition match at 184 pounds. Inman cruised to a 14-6 major decision.
 
Tanner Kriss and Zack Grimes looked even throughout a majority of the 197 pound challenge match, but Kriss took advantage of a missed takedown by Grimes and picked up a fall with just one second remaining in the second period (4:59).
 
For the 285 pound challenge match, newcomer Trey Page won by fall over John Close in 2:33.
 
The Tigers open up the season on Nov. 17 at the Central Missouri Open in Warrensburg, Mo.