MARSHALL, Mo. (Feb. 6) – Casy Rowell and Jarrett Edison captured individual titles to lead No. 13-ranked Central Oklahoma at the Missouri Valley Open here Saturday.
The Bronchos, who were without several starters because of injury or illness, also got third-place finishes from Scott Berens and Chris Watson and a fifth-place effort from Trison Graham.
“I thought we got good effort from some guys and we made some positive steps, but we still obviously have a lot of work to do,” UCO coach David James said. “It's getting toward the end of the season and we have to get things corrected in an urgent way, but there were some encouraging signs today.”
Rowell capped a perfect 4-0 day with a 14-5 major decision over Missouri Valley's Paulie Hansen in the championship match at 125 pounds. The freshman star opened with an 8-2 win, collecting a 13-4 major decision in the quarterfinals and pulled out a 2-1 semifinal win before routing Hansen in the title bout.
Edison also went 4-0 in collecting the gold medal at 197, edging Lindenwood's Spencer Daniels 2-1 in the finals. The sophomore standout had a 5-3 first-round win and then rolled to 14-1 and 14-2 major decisions in advancing to the title round.
Berens made his season debut at 133 and claimed third place with a 6-2 consolation finals victory over Taylor Crane of Missouri. Watson, who is sitting out a redshirt year, took third at 157 with a 6-2 triumph over Missouri Valley's Brandon Perkins.
Graham won his fifth-place match at 133 by injury default over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville's Bredon Murphy.
The Bronchos had five other wrestlers go 3-2 on the day – 141 Trey Branscum, 165 Conner Robinson, 165 Derrick Adkins, 184 Tanner Keck and 184 Kenny Meredith.
UCO ends the regular season schedule next Friday when it hosts Newman for a 7 p.m. dual. The Bronchos will then have two weeks to prepare for the NCAA Division II Super Regional II Tournament, set for Feb. 28 in Warrensburg, Mo.
Missouri Valley Open
Championship Finals
125 – Casy Rowell, UCO, major dec. Paulie Hansen, Missouri Valley, 14-5.
197 – Jarrett Edison, UCO, dec. Spencer Daniels, Lindenwood, 2-1.
Consolation Finals
133 – Scott Berens, UCO, dec. Taylor Crane, Missouri, 6-2.
157 – Chris Watson, UCO (unattached), dec. Brandon Perkins, Missouri Valley, 6-2.
Fifth Place
133 – Trison Graham, UCO, won by injury default over Bredon Murphy, SIU-Edwardsville.
