No. 6 Lopers Topple UCO

2/8/2015 5:11:00 PM

Caleb Hawes

EDMOND (Feb. 8) – Central Oklahoma fell behind 21-0 and gave up three falls in dropping a 30-13 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association decision to No. 6-ranked Nebraska-Kearney Sunday afternoon at Hamilton Field House.

The No. 12 Bronchos got consecutive wins from 165 Chris Watson, 174 Colton Gallo and 184 Caleb Hawes, but it wasn't enough as UCO ended the dual campaign 7-9 for its first losing season since 1977-78.

"We knew it was going to be a challenge and we just didn't wrestle very smart overall," head coach David James said. "We lost a couple of tight matches and gave up three falls, which should never happen.

"The three guys who won all did a great job. Chris has been really sick, but he gutted it out and got us a big fall. Colton really looked good and I thought Caleb battled hard and did what he needed to do."

Watson earned UCO's first win at 165 with a second-period pin in continuing his dominating ways. The senior star piled up a 9-0 lead before turning Devin Aguirre and ending it at the 4:37 mark, improving to 31-0 with 28 bonus-point wins.

Gallo struck for a takedown just five seconds into his bout with Chance Bila, added four more the rest of the way and racked up 3:15 of riding time en route to a 12-4 major decision.

Hawes edged Casey Powell 3-2 at 184, scoring the lone takedown with 46 seconds left in the opening period. Powell quickly escaped and then tied it with a second-period escape, but Hawes got loose midway through the final stanza for the winning point.

UCO lost two matches by the slimmest of margins when UNK wrestlers earned a riding time point for 1:00 advantage, with 157 Jeromy Davenport and heavyweight Kyle Factor both dropping 2-1 decisions.

The Bronchos go to Warrensburg, Mo. next Sunday for the MIAA Tournament.

Nebraska-Kearney 30, UCO 13
125 – Connor Bolling, UNK, dec. Zac D'Amico, 6-2.
133 – Daniel DeShazer, UNK, pinned Dustin Reed, 2:53.
141 – Keith Surber, UNK, dec. Josh Durham, 12-6.
149 – Destin McCauley, UNK, pinned Spencer Rutherford, 3:42.
157 – Chase White, UNK, dec. Jeromy Davenport, 2-1.
165 – Chris Watson, UCO, pinned Devin Aguirre, 4:37.
174 – Colton Gallo, UCO, major dec. Chance Bila, 12-4.
184 – Caleb Hawes, UCO, dec. Casey Powell, 3-2.
197 – Romero Cotton, UNK, pinned Michael Conner, 1:41.
Hvy – Ivan DeLeon, UNK, dec. Kyle Factor, 2-1.

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