Wrestling scrimmages

After practicing for the past three weeks, the Fort Hays State University wrestling squad will get a chance to compete in the Black and Gold Scrimmage tonight.

It is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in Gross Memorial Coliseum. It will also be the first college wrestling action for many of them.

Head Coach Chas Thompson, in his second year at the job, leads a young roster, with 11 upperclassmen compared to 22 underclassmen.

“We’re just trying to help them with the transition,” senior Tommy Edgemon said. “It’s a big transition from high school to college. We show them some moves and help them out in practice.”

Thompson, a former FHSU wrestler, had success as head coach at Pratt Community College. He led the Beavers to 10th and 21st places at the NJCAA National Championships, and coached two NJCAA All-Americans.

Edgemon wrestled under Thompson for two years at PCC.

“I really like him,” said Edgemon. “He’s a great coach and person. He gets the best out of us.”

The Tigers were ranked No. 14 in the pre-season national rankings. They also have two nationally ranked wrestlers in Edgemon, who is ranked No. 2 in the 125-pound class, and senior Danny Grater, who is ranked No. 3 at the 157-pound class. Edgemon and Grater were also All-Americans last year.

The Tigers were picked No. 4 in Rocky Mountain Athletics Conference while Grater was picked as an all-conference selection.

The Tigers’ first regular season test will be on Nov. 14 in Warrensburg, MO, for the University of Central Missouri Open.