Fort Hays State Men's Wrestling
at Dakota Wesleyan Open
Saturday, November 7, 2026 • 9 a.m.
Mitchell, S.D. • Avera Sports and Wellness Complex
 
The Fort Hays State men's wrestling team will compete at its first open tournament of the season this Saturday (Nov. 7) at the Dakota Wesleyan Open. Action from Mitchell, S.D. is slated to begin at 9 a.m.
 
This is FHSU's fifth trip to Mitchell over the last six seasons. The Tigers previously competed at the DWU Open in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025 with 19 FHSU wrestlers reaching the podium and one being named champion. Cash Thomas placed third at 157 pounds last season, while Kaden Markley and Marcell Dely both reached the quarterfinals in 2025.
 
The Tigers will send 24 athletes to the event where they will wrestle more than 30 other schools, including a dozen NCAA Division II opponents in Augustana, Chadron State, Jamestown, Minnesota State, Minot State, MSU Moorhead, Nebraska-Kearney, Northern State, Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State, UMary and Wayne State.
 
FHSU's lineup includes five wrestlers that opened their season with wins at Ouachita Baptist last Sunday. Cash Thomas picked up a technical fall win at 157 pounds, with Aiden Baker recording a first period fall in an extra match at 141. Derreck Buford (125), Kolton Field (141) and Houston Frank (184) all won via decision to start the year 1-0.
 
Looking ahead, the Tigers will be home next Friday (Nov. 13) when they host a quad dual against Northeastern State, Sioux Falls and CSU-Pueblo beginning at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum.
 
Projected FHSU Lineup - DWU Open
125 - Derreck Buford, Xzephren Donner
133 - AJ Almanza, Julien Kimling, Aiden Shields
141 - Aiden Baker, Kolton Field
149 - Jarret Mader, Philipp Nguyen
157 - Micah Castro, Trenton Frank, Kaden Markley, Cash Thomas
165 - Marcell Dely, Ender Rider, Jace Schartz
174 - Kyler Boyles, Hunter Harris, Griffin Mitchell
184 - Ernesto Duenez, Houston Frank
197 - Jonathan Rigler
285 - Jaxson Thomas, Beau Young