PEYTON, Colo. - The Fort Hays State men's wrestling team fell to New Mexico Highlands in a dual Wednesday evening (Dec. 17) at Falcon High School, losing 29-13. The Cowboys (3-2) won seven of the 10 duals to pick up the win over the Tigers (2-3).
 
The Cowboys raced out to a 17-0 lead after taking the first four bouts, including three bonus-point wins. Cash Thomas got on the board with a 12-3 major decision at 157 pounds, picking up two takedowns and four nearfall points. NMHU added nine points with a decision and a pin, pushing the lead to 26-4, before the Tigers claimed victory in the next two matches.
 
Matthew Rodriguez won at 184 due to forfeit, while Ryan Patterson recorded three takedowns in an 11-5 decision at 197 pounds. Highlands finished off the evening with a narrow 1-0 win at 285.
 
The Tigers will return to action after the holiday break when they travel to Marshall, Minn. for the Iron Mike Duals on Friday, January 9. The Tigers will take on four DII opponents that day, including Quincy, Sioux Falls, Northern State and Southwest Minnesota State.
 
New Mexico Highlands 29, Fort Hays State 13
125 - Diego Camarillo (NMHU) over Aiden Shields (MD 16-4)
133 - James Romero-Montoya (NMHU) over Jett Schwartz (Dec 8-2)
141 - Terrell Kinlicheenie (NMHU) over Kaiden Hoffman (Fall 4:27)
149 - Sebastian Freeman (NMHU) over Corbin White (MD 12-0)
157 - Cash Thomas over Reed McCarty (NMHU) (MD 12-3)
165 - #6 Ivan Smith Jr. (NMHU) over Cason Lindsey (Dec 4-1)
174 - Darwin Hull (NMHU) over Houston Frank (Fall 1:43)
184 - Matthew Rodriguez over Unknown (For.)
197 - Ryan Patterson over Devin Kinlicheenie (NMHU) (Dec 11-5)
285 - Phillip Chobot (NMHU) over Jaxson Thomas (Dec 1-0)