Mules Fall to Fort Hays in First Home Dual

WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Jan. 15, 2020) - Central Missouri Wrestling hosted their first dual of the season in an MIAA showdown against Fort Hays State. Conner Dalton, Austin Morgan and Zachary Hazen were the only Mules to walk away with victories as the Tigers won 28-12.

With both Central Missouri and Hays wrestling open at 125 pounds, Wednesday night's dual began with John Feeney and Mason Turner at 133 pounds. Turner defeated Feeney in a 18-10 major decision as the Tigers gained an early 4-0 lead. 

At 141 pounds, Conner Dalton defeated Dy'Juan Carney with a 13-3 major decision. The victory is Dalton's first dual win of the season as he improves his record to 11-12.

After Emmett Kuntz fell to Anthony Scantlin in 2:23 at 149 pounds, the Mules answered back with a 10-2 major decision victory by Austin Morgan over FHSU's Josh Lenker at 157 pounds. Morgan is now 4-13 this season. 

With a 10-8 lead, Hays won the next three matches to increase their lead to 22-8. John Ridle lost a close 10-9 decision to Conrad Vajnar at 149 pounds, Jack Goin suffered a 13-1 major decision loss to Marty Verhaeghe at 174 pounds, and Dominique Hampton lost an 18-2 technical fall to Aryus Jones at 184 pounds. 

Mules transfer Hazen scored UCM's final points of the night. Hazen defeated Matt Hook in a 11-0 major decision. After just joining the Mules over the semester break, Hazen posts a record of 4-1.

In the heavyweight match, Chase Miller fell to AJ Cooper in 0:34. 

Central Missouri is now 24-32-1 in their all-time series against Fort Hays State. The Mules 12 team points against the Tigers was the most points scored in a dual so far this season. 

Mules Wrestling returns to the mat tomorrow, Jan. 16, as they host fourth-ranked Nebraska-Kearney. The action begins at 7 p.m. in UCM's Multipurpose Building.