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Tiger wrestlers win pair of duals
2/1/2009
By NICK McQUEEN
nmcqueen@dailynews.net
Earlier in the week, Fort Hays State University first-year wrestling coach Chas Thompson discussed Friday's rare double dual as a "back to business" affair of sorts.
On the heels of an upset win over No. 5 University of Central Oklahoma last week and a 1-2 showing in the Dual Jamboree at the University of Central Missouri, Friday's action at Gross Memorial Coliseum signified a returning to the grindstone.
In the first two of five straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference duals in the next two weeks, the Tigers started things off with a pair of wins, downing University of New Mexico-Highlands, 26-18, and Colorado State University-Pueblo, 26-12, in the same night.
"This is were it starts to count," Thompson said Monday. "It's who we will see in our regional tournament, and we have to get as many wins as we possibly can."
Fort Hays (6-2 overall, 3-0 RMAC) didn't make short work of two of the conference's bottom teams, but did manage 6-of-10 matches against Highlands (5-2, 2-0) and 7-of-10 against Pueblo (2-11, 0-6), both relative newcomers to wrestling in the RMAC.
Among the highlights of Friday's action was another pair of wins for both Tiger senior James Annon (141), ranked No. 2 in Division II, and junior Danny Grater (157), ranked No. 4 in the nation. Junior Tyler Gonzales (197) also picked up a pair of victories as did 165-pound senior Troy Lussenhop.
Annon, who defeated third-ranked Colby Robinson of Central Oklahoma last week, has not lost since the FHSU Bob Smith Open against Nebraska's Jon Burns and is riding a seven-match win streak. Grater, who has also not lost since the Bob Smith Open, competed in the Hastings (Neb.) College Open and is riding a 12-match streak.
The rare double dual was the result of a simpler travel schedule, something more college teams at this level are beginning to do, Thompson said.
"It's beneficial for us to get two matches in one night," Thompson said. "It helps with the shape and conditioning.
"You're seeing more and more teams go to that -- having triangulars and double duals."
That conditioning aspect could help the Tigers this week as they travel to Grand Junction, Colo. to take on Mesa State College on Friday, then face No. 6 ranked Western State (Colo.) College on Saturday. The following week, the Tigers will host No. 7 ranked Adams State (Colo.) College in their fourth and final home dual of the season.
Friday's wins pushed the Tigers into a first-place tie in the RMAC with the Grizzlies and Western State.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |