ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Fort Hays State fell by a score of 24-14 in its season-opening dual against Ouachita Baptist on Sunday (Nov. 1). The Tigers were victorious in four of the 10 matches contested in the dual as Derreck Buford, Kolton Field, Cash Thomas and Houston Frank all picked up wins.

Cash Thomas had the biggest result for the Tigers with a 20-5 tech fall over Quintraylon Johnson at 157 pounds, giving his team five points. Field, Frank, and Buford all won by decisions. Field won 13-7 over Renzo Gann at 141, Frank won 10-4 over Ty Matyja at 184, and Buford had a 5-0 decision over Connor Locke at 125.

The dual went back-and-forth in team scoring. FHSU held early leads of 3-0 and 6-3 and Thomas' tech fall put FHSU out front 11-7. OBU flipped the match in its favor with back-to-back major decisions, going up 15-11 and Frank's decision brought FHSU back within one at 15-14. OBU put the dual away with its pair of ranked wrestlers, adding on nine points over the final two matches.

Dual Results
125: Derreck Buford (FHS) over Connor Locke (OBU) (Dec 5-0)
133: Michael Brennan (OBU) over Aiden Shields (FHS) (Dec 12-5)
141: Kolton Field (FHS) over Renzo Gann (OBU) (Dec 13-7)
149: Iziah Tusler (OBU) over Jarret Mader (FHS) (MD 15-3)
157: Cash Thomas (FHS) over Quintraylon Johnson (OBU) (TF 20-5 5:00)
165: Eli Silva (OBU) over Ender Rider (FHS) (MD 12-3)
174: Jackson Mills (OBU) over Hunter Harris (FHS) (MD 12-3)
184: Houston Frank (FHS) over Ty Matyja (OBU) (Dec 10-4)
197: #15 Parker Henry (OBU) over Ritchie Bruno (FHS) (TF 22-6 4:14)
285: #6 Brayden Seago (OBU) over Jaxson Thomas (FHS) (MD 11-1)

In extra matches, Aiden Baker earned a fall over Jack Volotoline in 2:50. Marcell Dely lost by major decision 14-5 to Lashon Tolbert and Kyler Boyles dropped a tight 6-5 decision to Hunter Baber.
 
The Dakota Wesleyan Open is next for the FHSU men, set for Saturday, Nov. 7 in Mitchell, S.D.