GREELEY, Colo. – The Fort Hays State men's wrestling team began their season with two dual contests on Friday (Nov. 3) against New Mexico Highlands and NCAA Division I affiliate Northern Colorado. The Tigers finished the opening day of their season 1-1 as a team after beating New Mexico Highlands then falling to Northern Colorado. The two contests were held at the Bank of Colorado Arena.
 
The Tigers were able to win all but two of their individual bouts against New Mexico Highlands to start their season off on the right foot. Fort Hays State recorded five major decisions, two decisions, and a sudden victory in the dual against Highlands. Cason Lindsay was the sudden victory in overtime by a score of 8-5 at 157 pounds. Cody Hicks handled his opponent with an 11-point victory 12-1 at 165 pounds. Juan Urbina and Bryce Westmoreland also won by 11-point spreads, 14-3 over each of their opponents at 174 and 184 pounds respectively. Ryan Patterson took his 197-pound match by a nine-point spread, 15-6. Kevin Honas (133) and Tony Caldwell (285) each picked up forfeit wins.
 
Big 12 wrestling affiliate Northern Colorado was just too much for the Tigers in the second dual of the day. Tereus Henry was the lone wrestler to notch a win for the team with a 12-0 major decision at 197 pounds. Philipp Nguyen and Matthew Rodriguez also won exhibition matches that did not result in points for the team.
 
The Tigers will travel for their next dual against No. 11 Northern State on Thursday, November 9 in Aberdeen, S.D. That contest is set for a 7 p.m. start.
 
#25 Fort Hays State 34, New Mexico Highlands 7
125: Rhys Sellers (NMH) over D`Andre Brown (FHS) (Dec 11-4)
133: Kevin Honas (FHS) over (NMH) (For.)
141: Joseph Misitano (NMH) over Drew Bell (FHS) (MD 19-9)
149: Marcell Dely (FHS) over Deklyn Miller (NMH) (Dec 3-1)
157: Cason Lindsey (FHS) over Evan Killgore (NMH) (SV-1 8-5)
165: Cody Hicks (FHS) over Ivan Smith Jr. (NMH) (MD 12-1)
174: Juan Urbina (FHS) over Thomas Tolbert (NMH) (MD 14-3)
184: Bryce Westmoreland (FHS) over Jacob Castillo (NMH) (MD 14-3)
197: Ryan Patterson (FHS) over Jayden Johnson (NMH) (MD 15-6)
285: Tony Caldwell (FHS) over (NMH) (For.)
 
Northern Colorado 47, #25 Fort Hays State 4
125: Stevo Poulin (UNCO) over D`Andre Brown (FHS) (TF 22-3 4:56)
133: Dominick Serrano (UNCO) over Kevin Honas (FHS) (Fall 0:24)
141: Rudy Lopez (UNCO) over Drew Bell (FHS) (Fall 4:53)
149: Benji Alanis (UNCO) over Marcell Dely (FHS) (Fall 2:44)
157: Vinny Zerban (UNCO) over Hunter Harris (FHS) (TF 20-2 2:15)
165: Derek Matthews (UNCO) over Cody Hicks (FHS) (MD 15-6)
174: Aydin Rix-McElhinney (UNCO) over Juan Urbina (FHS) (TF 27-10 6:57)
184: Branson Britten (UNCO) over Bryce Westmoreland (FHS) (MD 15-1)
197: Tereus Henry (FHS) over Franklin Cruz (UNCO) (MD 12-0)
285: Xavier Doolin (UNCO) over Tony Caldwell (FHS) (Fall 1:57)