Close matches in Tiger scrimmage
Close matches in Tiger scrimmage
By NICK McQUEEN
Hays Daily News
In terms of lineup-altering upsets, there weren't too many big shockers for the Fort Hays State University wrestling team in Thursday night's Black and Gold scrimmage at Gross Memorial Coliseum.
If anything, the close matches fans saw in their first look at the No. 9 ranked Tigers was an indication of the depth the Tigers will need to uphold or improve that ranking as the season progresses.
"These are always tough," Tiger coach Cody Bickley said. "It's never as offensive as you would like it to be and there is never as much action as you would like there to be."
Though not much action, the scrimmage didn't come without its surprises.
In the first match of the evening at 125 pounds, senior Devin Schwartz of Great Bend defeated senior Kory Lira, the Tiger veteran from Ulysses, 3-2. With just over a minute to go in the third period, Schwartz recorded a takedown for the win.
"There were some surprises, there's no doubt about that and I think that shows a little bit more depth, so we've got a good squad," Bickley said. "We have a pretty solid lineup."
That lineup, ranked No. 9 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II preseason poll, will see its first action against other competition Nov. 12 at the University of Central Missouri Open in Warrensburg, Mo.
Thursday's scrimmage gave Bickley an indication of a few things the Tigers will need to work on in preparation for the opener.
"These guys work out with each other every day and they know each other very well, so that's to be expected," Bickley said of the lack of offense. "They did a good job and it's a start. We have some work to do."
One Tiger who didn't miss a beat was senior Mikel Delk, the preseason ranked No. 1 wrestler at 149 pounds. Delk pinned redshirt freshman Josh Peterson from Abilene with 2:35 left to give the gold team a 12-6 lead.
At 285 pounds, senior two-time All-American Andrew Ubben was nearly defeated by junior Lyndon Wagner.
Wagner scored a takedown late, but Ubben, the No. 3-ranked preseason wrestler, escaped for a 7-6 win as time expired.
"There were some last-minute things. A lot of that is just mistakes on their part," Bickley said. "There are some things you can do different."
Junior Josh Pfannenstiel, a Hays High School product, was able to come away with an 8-7 victory over junior Bryce Bahe of Goodland at 141 pounds.
At 157, redshirt freshman Danny Grater, who looks to replace two-time All-American David Nordhues, was a 2-1 winner over sophomore Patrick Keane.
"We have some guys that I think should be ranked up there," Bickley said. "Once we get in some competition and seeing other people, they'll be able to prove they should be up there."
At 184 pounds, senior Mike Howell, the No. 6 ranked preseason wrestler, was held out of the lineup. In the 184-pound match, junior Troy Medill won by major decision over senior Justin Stevens.
"It's a type of deal where it's hard to get their offense going," Bickley said of the scrimmage. "It's the guys they see every day. It's hard out there doing this, but it makes them focus on their technique a little bit more."
Other than Medill's major decision and Delk's pin, every match was within four points, showing some depth at most weight classes, with the exception of 165 pounds, which was open with only junior Phil Hart in the class.
Sports reporter Nick McQueen can be reached at (785) 628-1081, ext. 128 or by e-mail at nmcqueen@dailynews.net.
