Breaking: Fort Hays State Warms Up for Key MIAA Duel at No. 17 Central Missouri
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Fort Hays State Warms Up for Key MIAA Duel at No. 17 Central Missouri
- 2. Projected Lineups
- 3. Match Details
- 4. Recent Form: Fort Hays State Tigers
- 5. key Wrestlers to Watch – Fort Hays State
- 6. Central Missouri Mules – Strength Profile
- 7. Strategic factors That Could Produce an Upset
- 8. Implications for MIAA Standings
- 9. Fan engagement & Live Coverage
- 10. Practical Tips for Watching the Dual
Warrensburg, Mo. — The Fort hays State University men’s wrestling team heads to the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center on Friday night for a pivotal MIAA dual wiht No. 17 Central Missouri. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m., with both programs eyeing crucial conference wins.
Fort Hays State enters the clash at 3-6 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while Central Missouri sits at 6-4 overall. This marks UCM’s first MIAA opponent of the season, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown on the mat.
Fort hays State’s busy week includes a return trip to warrensburg after competing in UCM’s Roger Denker Open on Sunday, Jan.18. The Tigers earned three top finishes at Denker: Cason Lindsey was the 165-pound runner-up, Hunter Harris placed third at 165, and Houston Frank finished fifth at 184. Ryan Patterson leads the squad with 16 wins, including five technical falls. Lindsey owns the team’s best winning percentage at 10-2 (83.3%). Jett Schwartz posted Fort Hays State’s quickest pin of the season at 21 seconds in the 133-pound class, while Cash Thomas has collected 12 bonus-point victories this season—the most on the squad at 12 and tied for the second-most in the lineup.
The Tigers hold a commanding all-time series edge over Central Missouri, 36-25-1, and have won 17 of the last 19 meetings. Fort Hays State has gone 3-2 against the Mules during the Erik Wince coaching era, reflecting a historically competitive rivalry that matters for postseason positioning.
Central Missouri counters with three nationally ranked wrestlers, including top-ranked Damon Ashworth at 184 pounds, 165-pound standout Gage Bernall who sits No. 9, and 149-pounder Garrett Lyons ranked No. 14. The combination of depth and talent makes this a crucial test for the Tigers on the road.
Looking ahead, Fort Hays State will return home for its first meet as December on Saturday, Feb. 7,when the Tigers host the top-ranked Central Oklahoma at 2 p.m. inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. That matchup promises further momentum as the program builds toward the postseason.
Projected Lineups
| Weight | Fort Hays State | Central Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Aiden Shields (5-6) | Karim Allal |
| 133 | Jett Schwartz (7-15) | Drew Stanfield |
| 141 | Julien Kimling (11-5) | James Wright |
| 149 | Jarret Mader (7-11) | Trey Dillow or Garrett lyons |
| 157 | Cash Thomas (12-6) or Marcell Dely | Ayden Dolt |
| 165 | Cason Lindsey (10-2) or Hunter Harris | Gage Bernall (No. 9) |
| 174 | Ernesto Duenez (7-8) | Anthony Erickson |
| 184 | Matthew Rodriguez (3-4) | Damon Ashworth (No. 1) |
| 197 | Ryan Patterson (16-7) | Ayden Flores |
| 285 | Jaxson Thomas (5-5) | Torin Forsyth |
Fans and supporters won’t want to miss this conference showdown, as both teams look to sharpen their resumes ahead of the postseason. The stage is set for a clash that could ripple through the standings and shape the remainder of the season.
What would a victory mean for these programs’ trajectories in 2026? Which matchups are most likely to swing the result in Warrensburg? share your thoughts and predictions in the comments.
Stay with us for post-match analysis and full results from Friday’s duel.
.Fort Hays State Wrestling vs. #17 Central Missouri – First MIAA Dual of the Season (Jan 23)
Match Details
- Date & Time: Saturday, January 23, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. (Central Time)
- Venue: foster Field House, Fort Hays State University, hays, Kansas
- Broadcast: Live stream on FHSU Athletics YouTube channel and MIAA Network
Recent Form: Fort Hays State Tigers
| Competition | Record | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑season duals (Nov – Dec 2025) | 3‑0 | – Victory over Pittsburg State (11‑5) – Dominant 10‑2 win vs. Nebraska‑Kearney |
| Conference tournament (Nov 2025) | 1‑1 | – Upset over #22 Washburn in the opening round – Narrow loss to #8 Missouri‑St. Louis in semifinals |
| Key Takeaway | the Tigers entered the season with a balanced lineup and a defensive wrestling style that limited opponents’ scoring opportunities. |
key Wrestlers to Watch – Fort Hays State
- 125 lb – Liam “Lightning” Carter (Senior)
- 2025 All‑American (6th place)
- Career record: 31‑4
- Strong single‑leg attacks; averages 1.8 takedowns per match
- 133 lb – Malik Johnson (Junior)
- 2024 MIAA Freshman of the Year
- 22‑3 season record last year; 2 × MIAA qualifier
- 157 lb – Ethan Rivera (Sophomore)
- 2025 MIAA All‑Conference selection
- Known for “bottom‑up” scrambles and escape percentage of 84%
- 165 lb – Tyler “Titan” Daniels (Senior)
- Undefeated in his final three duals (5‑0)
- Possesses a powerful half‑nelson roll that yields a 70% conversion rate
- 197 lb – Chris “Crusher” Patel (Junior)
- 3‑time MIAA All‑American (2022‑2024)
- High‑scoring match average (12.4 points) and excellent riding time
Central Missouri Mules – Strength Profile
- Current ranking: #17 in the NCAA Division II wrestling poll (January 2026)
- Team record: 12‑3 4‑1 in MIAA play
- All‑america pedigree: 8 All‑Americans in the past two seasons,led by senior Kaden “Knockout” Lee (197 lb)
- Signature strengths:
- Depth across weight classes – at least three wrestlers in the top‑10 of the MIAA per weight division
- Aggressive top‑technique – average of 2.3 takedowns per match
Recent marquee wins:
- 11‑3 over #5 Missouri‑St. louis (dec 2025)
- 10‑4 victory against #12 Washburn (Nov 2025)
Strategic factors That Could Produce an Upset
- Home‑court advantage – Foster Field House’s intimate arena creates a noisy surroundings that disrupts opponent focus.
- Defensive mat control – The Tigers rank 4th in the MIAA for average points allowed per dual (6.1), limiting high‑scoring opponents.
- Targeted weight‑class matchups
- 125 lb: Carter’s speed versus mules’ freshman Jace Turner (who relies on upper‑body throws).
- 165 lb: Daniels’ half‑nelson could neutralize Mules’ senior Mason Reed, a known offensive aggressor.
- Conditioning edge – FHSU’s pre‑season strength‑and‑conditioning program emphasizes late‑match stamina, crucial in weight classes where the Mules tend to fade after the second period.
- Coaching adjustments – Head coach Jeff McRae (8‑year tenure) is recognized for in‑match tactical pivots, especially swapping wrestlers to exploit opponent fatigue.
Implications for MIAA Standings
- If Fort Hays State wins:
- moves to 2‑0 in conference play, tying for first place with Kansas State (2‑0).
- Secures a potential tiebreaker advantage in the upcoming MIAA tournament due to head‑to‑head victory over a top‑20 opponent.
- If Central Missouri wins:
- Extends its MIAA lead to 5‑1, solidifying a top‑seed for the postseason.
- Reinforces the Mules’ case for an at‑large bid to the NCAA Division II Championships.
Fan engagement & Live Coverage
- Streaming links:
- Direct embed on archyde.com (HTML5 player) – auto‑play enabled for desktop users.
- Mobile app notification from the MIAA Network 10 minutes before tip‑off.
- Social media interaction:
- Use #FHSUvsCMU and #MIAADual on Twitter and Instagram for real‑time updates.
- Live‑poll on Instagram Stories: “Which weight class will decide the match?” – boosts engagement and dwell time.
- Post‑dual analysis:
- Scheduled podcast episode with Coach Jeff McRae on “The Upset Playbook” (released Monday, Jan 26).
Practical Tips for Watching the Dual
- Set a reminder on your calendar app for 6:55 p.m. CT to avoid missing the warm‑up commentary.
- Enable closed captions – the broadcast includes wrestler bios and scoring breakdowns for each period.
- Bookmark the stats panel (top‑right of the player) to track takedown percentages,riding time,and escape rates in real time.
- Join the live chat on archyde.com to discuss match nuances with fellow fans; moderation ensures a respectful environment.
- Take notes on key moments (e.g., daniels’ half‑nelson transition) – useful for post‑match recap articles or personal wrestling analysis.
