TIGER WRESTLERS COMPETE IN NORTHERN COLORADO OPEN; GRATER CLAIMS TITLE...
Nov. 20, 2007
The #18-ranked Fort Hays State wrestling team competed in the Northern Colorado Open this past Sunday in Greeley, Colorado. The Tigers had five individuals place in the tournament including Danny Grater, who was the 157 pound individual champion. Others who placed in the tournament were James Annon, who finished second at 141 pounds, Blake Malloy, who finished second at 174 pounds, Josh Pfannenstiel, who finished third at 149 pounds and Dustin Martin, who finished fourth at 285 pounds.
Grater, who was seeded #1 in the tournament at 157 pounds, opened with a first round bye. He then defeated Tanner Weiks of Northern Colorado by major decision 11-3. Grater next faced Trey Saxon of New Mexico Highlands and won by a 7-2 decision. In the semifinals, Grater defeated Cole Garcia of Colby Community College by major decision 14-1, advancing him to the final. In the final, Grater won by fall at 5:55 over second seeded Justin Gaethje of Northern Colorado.
Annon, who finished second in the tournament at 141 pounds, received a first round bye. Annon then defeated Kyle Oyler of Newman University by a 5-3 decision and Rocco DePaulo of Northern Colorado by a 9-3 decision to advance to the
semifinals. He then defeated in the semifinals Lyubo Kumbarov of Colby Community College by a 7-3 decision to advance to the final. In the 141 pound final, Annon lost a 10-6 decision to Kyle Francis of Western State.
Malloy, who finished second at 174 pounds, also received a first round bye. In the next two rounds, Malloy defeated Ty Brown of Chadron State by major decision 12-4 and Ryan Johnson of Northern Colorado by a 6-3 decision to reach the semifinal round. In the semifinals, he defeated Ryan Becerra of Grand Canyon by a 5-2 decision. In the 174 pound final, Malloy lost to top-seed Evan Hinebauch of Montana State-Northern by an 0-5 decision.
Pfannenstiel, who finished third at 149 pounds, received a bye in the first round. He then defeated Justin Morris of Western State by a 3-2 decision and Matthew Basquez, an unattached wrestler by major decision 11-0 to advance to the semifinal round. In the semifinals, Pfannenstiel would fall to top seed Daniel Prater of Northern Colorado by a narrow 7-6 decision, dropping him to the back side of the bracket. Pfannenstiel would respond from the loss by winning his next match over Sam Allen of Utah Valley State College by medical forfeit to reach the third place match. He then defeated Anthony Varnell of Northwest College (Wyo.) by a 4-1 decision to take third.
Martin, who finished fourth at 285 pounds, lost his first round match to #2 seed Brandon Rupp of Western Wyoming Community College by an 0-5 decision. Martin would then win an amazing five straight matches over Brian Cates of Northwest College (Wyo.) by a 3-2 decision, Pat Fletcher of Chadron State by fall at 3:41, Billy Green of Utah Valley State College by medical forfeit, Richard Hernandez of Grand Canyon by a 2-1 decision and John Hernandez of Grand Canyon by a 6-2 decision to reach the third place match. In the third place match however, Martin
would drop a tight 2-1 decision to Jesse Boggs of New Mexico Highlands to finish fourth at 285 pounds.
The Tigers also had three wrestlers compete in the Nebraska-Omaha Kaufman-Brand Open this past Saturday. However, no individuals placed in the event.
The Tigers will next be in action when they host their own FHSU-Bob Smith Open on Saturday, December 1. The event is scheduled for all day.
