WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Feb. 1, 2017)-- The Central Missouri Mules Wrestling team will travel to Hays, Kan. and Kearney, Neb. to take on MIAA foes Fort Hays State and Nebraska-Kearney for their final road duals of the 2016-17 season. The Mules are 5-7 overall, 1-2 in MIAA duals, and 1-1 on the road this season. Both tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday's duals will get underway at 7 p.m.

Series History
Central Missouri vs. Fort Hays State: 24-28-1
The Tigers own a four dual advantage over the Mules, and defeated them 44-9 last season.

Central Missouri vs. Nebraska-Kearney: 7-22-0
The Mules and Lopers met last season in an MIAA dual at the Multi with UNK finishing on top, 37-10.

Mat Points
• The Mules are 5-7 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA entering their two dual road trip against the Tigers and Lopers.
• Central Missouri competed in their final tournament of the season hosting the Roger Denker Open, but had no placewinners.
• The Mules competed in five tournaments this season where they had 21 placewinners, five of which were champions.
• The Mules' two duals this week will be their final two on the road this season, where they are 1-1.
• Jesse Reser (165 lbs.) and Cody Carson (174 lbs.) have the top marks for UCM, both at 21-5. Reser is 10-1 in duals, while Carson is 4-0.
• Bradley Irwin (141 lbs.) has the next best record for the Mules at 11-6 overall and a 10-2 dual record.
• After their final road trip, UCM will return home for their final dual against Super Region Three foe McKendree on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Scouting The Competition
#16 Fort Hays State
• The Tigers enter Thursday's dual ranked No. 16 in the country and have a 4-4 dual record and are 1-1 in the MIAA.
• The Tigers currently sit fourth in the MIAA just ahead of the Mules. They were picked to finish fourth this season in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, totaling 14 points.
• The Tigers return their lone All-American from last season in senior Jon Inman. He finished fifth at the NCAA-II Wrestling Championships last season at 184 pounds and is 14-2 this season competing at 197 pounds. 
• Christian Lance has the best record for the Tigers at 25-3 overall, while wrestling in the 285-pound weight class.
• The Tigers competed in six tournaments this season with 31 total placewinners and 12 champions.
• The Tigers are under the direction of ninth year head coach Chas Thompson.

#2 Nebraska-Kearney
• The Lopers are 14-6 overall, while 2-1 in MIAA dual competition entering Friday's dual against the Mules and are ranked No. 2 in the country in the latest D2wrestle.com poll.
• The Lopers were picked to win the MIAA this year in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, garnering all five possible first place votes and totaled 25 points.
• The Lopers fell to Central Oklahoma earlier this season, 22-16, and currently sit second in the MIAA. They are one dual back from Central Oklahoma, who is undefeated in MIAA competition at 3-0.
• Head Coach Dalton Jensen is in his first season at the head bench boss for the Lopers. He was an associate head coach in the 2015-16 season and was a former national champion for UNK at 141 pounds in 2012.
• Jacob Wasser (141 lbs.) and Kevin Barrett (285 lbs.) have the top records for the Lopers at 25-4 apiece, while a handful of starters have above .500 records.

Probable Lineups
Central Missouri Mules
125: Open
133: John Feeney or Daide Agnew
141: Bradley Irwin
149: Zachary Schridde
157: Steffon Fassett
165: Jesse Reser
174: Cody Carson
184: Allan Person
197: Grant Sparks
285: Chase Miller

#16 Fort Hays State Tigers
125: Conrad Cole
133: Wyatt Alvis or Matt Mejia
141: Brandon Ball or Anthony Calderon
149: Jacob Kay or William Homalon
157: Greg Tooley
165: Kyler Mick
174: Micquille Robinson
184: Rakim Dean
197: Jon Inman
285: Christian Lance

#2 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers
125: Vlad Kasakov
133: Bryce Shoemaker or JD Rader
141: Jacob Wasser
149: Keith Surber
157: Destin McCauley
165: Calvin Ochs
174: Isacc Deaton
184: Zach Stodden
197: Trey Schlender
285: Kevin Barrett