ALAMOSA, Colo. (January 7^th, 2017) --- The Adams State wrestling team took to the mat this afternoon to take on No. 18 nationally ranked Fort Hays State on a snow packed Saturday.
 
The afternoon started with the 165-pounders. Isaac Lopez would waste no time putting away Kyler Mick via fall only thirty seconds into the match. Next up in the 174 class, Korey Windham won a 7-1 decision over Micquille Robinson to give the Grizzlies a 9-0 lead. Richard Bencomo would increase the lead to 12-0 with his 4-0 decision over Rakim Dean in the 184 bout. The Tigers would finally get on the board when the 197 matchup between Khalil Gipson and Austin Brandt ended in a 10-5 decision in favor of Fort Hays. The Grizzlies still led 12-3 heading into the heavyweight duel. Tuli Laulu was up against the No. 9 heavyweight in all of Division II who is 25-3 on the year. Laulu was poised to give Lance his fourth loss of the season, but was taken down with only a few seconds left in the third period and lost by a 3-2 decision.
 
With half of the matches in the books, Adams led Fort Hays 12-6 heading into the 125 class. Darek Huff was able to score a fall over Conrad Cole at the 1:17 mark. Martin Ramirez would then make quick work of Josh Martinez at the 133 level, winning by tech fall 18-2. Now leading 23-6, the Grizzlies knew that the upset was within reach. Sage Budd gave it a good try, but could not defeat No. 7 ranked Brandon Ball in a 10-2 major decision. Devin Vasquez would secure the upset with a 16-0 tech fall victory over Anthony Calderon at the 149 pound weight class. The Grizzlies had clinched the win at this point, leading 28-10 heading into the final matchup between Gavin Davy and Greg Tooley. Tooley would land a 10-2 major decision in the 157 match, but it would be too late for the Tigers as the Grizzlies took down No. 18 by a final score of 28-14.
 
With the win, Adams State moves to 1-1 on the season. 
 
The Grizzlies will travel back to Kearney, Nebraska for the second time this season on January 14th. The Grizzlies will compete with Newman University, California Baptist University, and Lindenwood University starting at 9:00am. 
 
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