EDMOND (Oct. 22) -- Central Oklahoma head coach David James has plenty of experience in preparing a team for a title defense and that knowledge will come in handy for the Bronchos in 2007-08.
James led UCO to its 15th national championship last year -- including the 12th in his 25-year tenure -- and the Bronchos will once again be one of the main contenders for the NCAA Division II crown this season despite the departure of five starters, including four All-Americans.
UCO has had national championship runs of two, four and four straight under James' guidance and the veteran skipper is well aware of the challenges his team will face this season.
"One of the main things we have to keep in perspective is that 2007 is over with," said James, whose team will be in action at 7 p.m. Wednesday for the annual Bronze-Blue intrasquad match at Hamilton Field House. "Last year's team won the national championship and this year's team hasn't done anything yet.
"We've obviously got a bullseye on our back as the defending champion, but that goes with the territory and it's an added challenge for this group. You've got to deal with that pressure, but it's not the first time for our program to experience it."
UCO has five starters back from last year's 15-4 team that won its 17th Midwest Regional title in 18 years en route to the national title, including four All-Americans and one national qualifier.
That group gives the Bronchos a solid core to build around, but there's plenty of questions to be answered in filling out the lineup.
"We've got a young squad overall," said James, who has 28 freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores on his 38-man roster. "We've got five starters back and those guys are going to need to repeat their performance of last year or better it.
"The big question is the five guys who are gonna be new starters. We're certainly capable at those weights, but we're going to be awfully young and inexperienced at some of them."
Leading UCO's quest for a repeat championship are team captains and senior All-Americans Kyle Evans (141), Jason Leavitt (157) and Heath Jolley (184). Evans was a perfect 39-0 in taking the gold medal last year, while Leavitt was runner-up and Jolley fifth.
Also back from last year are national runner-up Tyler Zukerman (125) and national qualifier Daniel Morrison, who is dropping down from 174 to 165 this season.
Those returners plus the presence of several talented redshirt freshmen, newcomers and lettermen anxious to step into the starting lineup has UCO ready for another banner season.
"We want to be a team in the end that has a legitimate, realistic chance of winning the national championship," James said. "This team has a chance to do that, but it's going to take a lot of work and we're ready to see what will happen."
Here's a weight-by-weight look at UCO for 2007-08:
125 Pounds
UCO is set here with the return of sophomore All-American Tyler Zukerman, who sparked the Bronchos at the national tournament by pulling off a trio of upsets en route to the making the finals. That late-season surge should really give Zukerman a boost this season and much is expected of this budding star, who should only continue to improve.
The Bronchos are young here, with freshmen Carson Powell and Nick Rice the top backups.
Coach James Says: "Tyler is obviously our guy and the success he had will hopefully motivate him and take him to the next level. He had a great season for a true freshman and that experience will make him better."
133 Pounds
The Bronchos are dominated by youth and that's especially true here as two freshmen and a redshirt freshman are expected to battle it out for the starting berth.
Trey Branscum was a three-time Oklahoma state champion and probably rates as the slight favorite over fellow rookie Shawn Ledford, himself a two-time title winner. Michael Walkup picked up some valuable experience as a redshirt last year and is also in the mix.
Coach James Says: "We're real young here, that's no secret. Trey has a lot of talent and a great upside and is probably the frontrunner, but Shawn is right there. Both are talented and we'll have to see what happens."
141 Pounds
UCO showcases one of the best in the country at any level here in senior star Kyle Evans, a three-time All-American and the defending national champion who is coming off an unbeaten season.
A three-time Midwest Regional champion, Evans was 39-0 last year and has won 61 of his last 63 matches. He's as focused as ever and is poised to end his career with another dominating season.
UCO is inexperienced behind Evans, with redshirt freshman Dale McClure and rookies Jordan Edison and Zack McCloud providing depth.
Coach James Says: "What Kyle did last year speaks for itself. What I've seen since then is he hasn't rested on that and he worked hard in the summer and the offseason. The big key with Kyle is Kyle himself, keeping a good mindset and continuing to work hard."
149 Pounds
UCO has an opening here after the departure of a three-time All-American and competition will be stiff between three challengers who are all eager to take over and be the main man.
Junior Luke Elmore is a two-time junior college All-American who redshirted last year and he may own the edge, but if so it's a slight one over senior Brent Sarette and sophomore Colby Robinson.
Robinson saw some starting duty here last year and was sensational in several open tournaments in going 22-6 with 15 bonus-point wins, while Sarette was 17-7.
All three contenders appear capable of handling the position and being productive, but it may be well into the second semester before a full-time starter is finally established.
Coach James Says: "We've got three guys in the picture here and it will be interesting to see how it plays out. Luke proved himself in junior college and Colby and Brent both showed progress last year in getting a lot of mat time. What I like is we have three experienced-type people. It will be healthy competition between the three and it's good for the weight class."
157 Pounds
Senior Jason Leavitt had a breakthrough season last year, pulling off some big wins in key situations en route to a 33-8 campaign that he capped with a national runner-up finish.
An overtime loss in the national finals has Leavitt even more determined this season, when he will once again be a top championship contender.
It's youngsters who again provide depth, with freshmen Kelly Henderson and Conner Robinson leading the way.
Coach James Says: "This is a good weight class from a national standpoint and Jason has some big goals he wants to achieve and they're legit goals. He's got the wrestling style I like to see and what happened last year has given him added motivation."
165 Pounds
A national qualifier will drop down a weight to assume the favorite's role here, but sophomore Daniel Morrison will find plenty of obstacles in his bid for the starting spot.
Morrison went 18-16 while starting all last year at 174 and he pulled off a big first-round upset at the national tournament before losing two close matches. That experience definitely gives him the edge, but a host of challengers won't make it easy.
Sophomores Cody Rowell and Zach Sikes both picked up valuable experience last year and have the talent to come out on top here, with junior Alvin Metcalf and redshirt freshman Kelson Phillips adding more depth.
Coach James Says: "Daniel has to be favored since he started at 174 last year and had 34 matches. He got a lot of experience last year and that has to make him the favorite. Cody and Zach have been around and are very capable. Any one of the three could do the job and it's a very competitive weight for us."
174 Pounds
This position is up for grabs with the returning starter moving down a weight, though it appears the Bronchos are in good shape with the addition of a junior college transfer and the presence of a former starter.
Junior Tommy McCarthy was a two-time All-American at Labette (Kan.) Community College and probably rates as the early favorite, though sophomore Kenny Meredith can't be overlooked. Meredith went 24-19 as the starter at 184 two years ago and is dropping down a weight after redshirting last season.
Freshman Jon Wechter provides additional depth and has shown a lot of promise.
Coach James Says: "Tommy has the edge after placing in junior college the past two years and he has a chance to really help us. We thought he could be a tremendous asset to our program and we're excited to have him. Kenny has some experience and did some things in the offseason to benefit him, so we'll have to see what happens."
184 Pounds
Another starter is dropping down a weight and will take over here, with senior All-American Heath Jolley set to finally be at the weight more suited for him.
Jolley started the past two seasons at 197 and went 24-11 there last year, knocking off the top-two ranked individuals at the national tournament in finishing fifth. He should be even more effective at 184 and looks to be a national championship contender.
Freshmen Scotty Cayton and Jason Self add depth, while sophomore Kenny Meredith started here two years ago and could move up if needed.
Coach James Says: "Heath's finally at the weight he probably desired to be at the last couple of years. He's in some uncharted waters, but he's got a great attitude and I have to think the success he had last year will motivate him. We're young again in what we have behind him, but we've got guys who show some promise."
197 Pounds
Easily the thinnest weight on the team, with redshirt freshman Jarrett Edison the only name listed here.
The athletic Edison showed great promise and made tremendous progress during his redshirt year, showcased by a runner-up finish to starter Heath Jolley at the Fort Hays State Open. Still, he's untested as a starter and must stay healthy.
Junior Reggie Douglas could drop down from heavyweight or someone could move up for 184 if the need arises.
Coach James Says: "Heath's move to 184 has opened the door for Jarrett. He did a good job in open tournaments last year, but the concern is he's young. Instead of getting experience we need him to be productive in a starting role. He's talented, knows how to wrestle for a big guy and has put in the work."
285 Pounds
An interesting situation at the end of the lineup as the Bronchos feel really good about their projected starter, though it will be awhile before he'll get on the mat.
Sophomore Dustin Finn is expected to step in and take over here after he's done starting on the offensive line for the UCO football team, so it will obviously take some time before he's in prime wrestling shape. Finn went 6-1 as the backup last year and showed that he has the ability to have a big-time impact once he joins the team.
The Bronchos also feel good about freshman Braden Land, a Oklahoma high school state champion last year, and letterman Reggie Douglas provides more depth.
Coach James Says: "We'll get Dustin late, but I think he's going to be very productive for us this year. He has a lot of high goals that he would like to achieve. I think he's really excited about getting on the mat and being the starter and we're excited for him. Braden moves good for a big man and we're glad to have him."
