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Fort Hays wrestling team finishes runner-up at regional competition
8/29/2007
Feb. 26, 2007
By The Hays Daily News
GODLEN, Colo. -- With a second place team finish at the West Regional/Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships this weekend in Golden, Colo., the Fort Hays State University wrestling qualified seven for NCAA Division II national meet in Kearney, Neb.
The Tigers finished with 109Ôªø1Ñ2 team points, placing behind No. 1 University of Nebraska-Kearney, which had 141Ôªø1Ñ2 points. The second place finish is the highest Fort Hays has placed at regionals. Last year the Tigers took eight to nationals, but still placed third.
"Taking seven is great," Fort Hays coach Cody Bickley said. "There were a couple of teams that beat us in the dual season, and so we got a little redemption."
All 10 of the Tigers finished in the top five, meaning everyone scored points for the team.
Sophomore James Annon and senior Andrew Ubben, each finished runner-up. Annon, who is from Norton, qualified in the 141-pound weight class as a No. 5 seed. He defeated No. 4 seed Chris Freije of Western State College, then defeated Cody Weitzel of Colorado School of Mine. He lost in the championship match to No. 2 Ross Montour from New Mexico Highlands University, 16-8. Ubben is making his fourth trip to nationals in the 285-pound class. The Phillipsburg native qualified as a No. 2 seed. He forfeited the title match against Nebraska-Kearney's Tervel Dlagnev, who is ranked No. 1.
"That was just kind of a precautionary thing," Bickley said of Ubben forfeiting the title match. "It was a type of deal where looking ahead, we could give him a little more time to prepare for nationals."
Two redshirt freshman picked up third place finishes for the Tigers, as Danny Grater (157) and Tyler Gonzales (197) each qualifed. Grater knocked off the RMAC's No. 1 seed Mike Gallegos from Adams State College with a major decision, 15-6, and Gonzales defeated Josh Majerus of Chadron State College, 5-2. Gallegos, was ranked fifth in the nation going into the match.
"We got two redshirt freshmen that did a great job," Bickley said. "It's hard to beat guys that beat you in the regular season, and each turned around and got wins over them. I'm extremely proud of those two."
Seniors Derek Patterson (133), Mikel Delk (149) and Mike Howell (184) all placed fourth.
Nationals will take place March 9-10 at Kearney. The Tigers placed 11th as a team last year, and are currently ranked ninth.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| BB | 5/11 | Central Missouri | L 4-2 |
| BB | 5/10 | Missouri Western | W 4-3 |
| BB | 5/09 | Emporia State | L 6-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | W 17-5 |
| BB | 5/04 | Pittsburg State | L 4-3 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 15-7 |
| BB | 5/03 | Pittsburg State | L 5-4 |
| SB | 5/02 | Central Missouri | L 3-1 |
| SB | 5/02 | Missouri Western | W 3-2 |
| SB | 5/01 | Pittsburg State | W 6-0 |
