OMAHA, Neb. (Nov. 21) – It was a tough – and long – day for Central Oklahoma at the rugged Kaufman/Brand Open here Saturday.
The Bronchos finished with just three placers in the all-day tournament, a marathon event that attracted more than 500 wrestlers and took nearly 12 hours to complete, as 125-pounder Casy Rowell came in fifth in the 17-20 age division while 149 Colby Robinson and 165 Derrick Adkins both took fifth in the open division.
“It was a beast of a tournament and the toughest competition we've seen this season,” UCO coach David James said. “You've got to be ready to really grind it out in a tournament like this and I was disappointed in some of our guys. We've got to have better focus and be tougher and that showed today.
“We had some good spots and had a few guys take some steps forward, but we had some others who took a step back. We've got to be more consistent and that's something we'll continue to work on.”
Rowell dropped an 8-3 decision to Nebraska's Kyle Waldo in the first round, but bounced back with five straight consolation wins – including a 6-2 victory over Waldo – before losing in the semifinals. The rookie, who placed third in UCO's first two tournaments, took fifth with an injury default win.
Robinson followed a first-round bye with a 5-1 win and then lost a tough 5-4 decision in the quarterfinals. The seventh-ranked senior had 7-0 and 10-1 consolation routs before falling to No. 1 Esai Dominguez of Nebraska-Omaha 7-3 in the semifinals, rebounding with a 5-1 win over Iowa State's Justin Hale for fifth.
Adkins followed an opening-round technical fall rout with a quarterfinal loss, then came back with 3-2 and 12-4 consolation wins before losing in the semifinals. The redshirt freshman ended the tournament with a 5-2 triumph over Fort Hays State's Blake Malloy to claim fifth.
Top-ranked and two-time All-American heavyweight Dustin Finn, who knocked off the Division I defending national champion last week during a runner-up finish at the Central Missouri Open, went 2-2 and failed to place. He was eliminated with a 5-2 loss to No. 7-rated Elijah Madison of UNO.
Austin Standage (149), Ed Jackson (157) and Eden Bernstein (157) all went 3-2 on the day while competing in the 17-20 division.
The Bronchos don't return to action again until going to Hays, Kan. to take on Fort Hays State in a 7 p.m. dual on Thursday, Dec. 3.
Kaufman/Brand Open
17-20 Age Division
Fifth Place
125 -- Casy Rowell, UCO, won by default over Cody Tyler, Nebraska-Omaha.
Open Division
Fifth Place
149 – Colby Robinson, UCO, dec. Justin Hale, Iowa State, 5-1.
165 – Derrick Adkins, UCO, dec. Blake Malloy, Fort Hays State, 5-2.
