Wrestling tabbed third in MIAA Preseason Poll

After a fourth place finish in last year’s MIAA Championships and NCAA Central Super Regional, the Fort Hays State University wrestling team was picked to finish tied for third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches’ Poll entering the 2014-15 season.

The Tigers trail only Nebraska-Kearney, which finished second at the NCAA Championships last season, and Lindenwood, second at last year’s MIAA Championships. UNK received all five first-place votes and 25 total points, while LWU had 20 points.

FHSU’s 15 points was tied with Central Oklahoma, pairing the two teams in the third spot for the poll. The Tigers went 9-5-1 last season in duals last season, finishing 3-3 overall in conference matchups. Five wrestlers (Jon Inman, Tanner Kriss, Mitchell Means, C.J. Napier and Josh Rodriguez) competed at the NCAA Championships last season, with Napier and Kriss earning All-American nods after fourth and sixth-place finishes at their respective weight classes. Inman (184 pounds), a sophomore this season, and Rodriguez (174 pounds), a senior, return for FHSU this season and were ranked sixth in the first set of individual rankings for NCAA Division II, released earlier this week.

Other key returners for Fort Hays State are seniors Bryce Lewis (165 pounds) and Trey Page (285 pounds) and juniors Noah Killip (141 pounds), Bradley Little (165 pounds), Adam Ludwin (125 pounds) and Symon Seaton (133 pounds). Page and Ludwin were both one match away from reaching the NCAA Championships last season.

Rounding out the final two spots in the poll is Central Missouri (10 points) and Newman (five points).

The Tigers open the 2014-15 season with the Black and Gold Scrimmage on Tuesday, Nov. 4. FHSU’s regular season opener is Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Bethany Swede Open in Lindsborg.