Bronchos Travel To OCU Thursday

Central Oklahoma returns to the mat Thursday when the Bronchos make the short trip to Oklahoma City to face long-time rival OCU in a 7 p.m. dual at Abe Lemons Arena.

UCO is 1-0 in duals and ranked 16th in NCAA Division II, while the Stars are 5-0 and rated sixth in NAIA.

The Bronchos own a 15-3 lead in a series that started back in 1927, winning all five meetings between 1927 and 1931 before the rivalry took a long hiatus. The series resumed in 2006 and the teams have met every season since then.

"OCU has a strong team and this will be a big challenge for us," said fourth-year head coach Todd Steidley, who is 3-0 against the Stars. "They have a really balanced lineup. Our guys will have to be ready to wrestle all seven minutes."

Central has three individuals ranked in the top 12 at their respective weight, while OCU has five.

Nate Keim is 11th at 141, Brik Filippo 11th at 149 and Heath Gray second at 184 for the Bronchos. Gray leads UCO with a 9-1 record that includes eight bonus-point wins.

Montana Moon is sixth at 125, Jaxen Gilmore 12th at 141, Jon McGowan seventh at 157, Chase Vincent fourth at 174 and Korey Walker second at heavyweight for the Stars.

Here's a look at the probable lineups, with UCO listed first:

125 – Cody Karstetter, Sr. (5-2) or Tanner Cole, Sol (2-2) vs. Montana Moon, Jr. (2-0) or Austin Renfro, Fr. (0-0); 133 – Noah McQuigg, Jr. (4-4) vs. Moon or Renfro; 141 – Nate Keim, So. (8-4) or Von Gray, So. (3-4) vs. Jaxen Gilmore, So. (9-1); 149 – Brik Filippo, So. (6-3) or Zachary Moore, Sr. (8-2) vs. Connor Holman, So. (8-1); 157 – Ty Lucas, So. (3-5) vs. Jon McGowan, So. (5-2); 165 – Dayton Garrett, Jr. (9-3) vs. R.J. Walker, So. (5-0); 174 – Gage McBride, Jr. (4-3) or Tre'Vaughn Craig, So. (0-0) vs. Chase Vincent, Jr. (5-2); 184 – Heath Gray, Jr. (9-1) vs. Kaden Truelove, Sr. (5-0); 197 – Kalin Winkler, Jr. (6-3) or Dalton Abney, RS Fr. (0-0) vs. Easton Rendleman, So. (6-2); Hvy – Garrett Beier, Jr. (4-3) vs. Korey Walker, Sr. (3-2).

The Bronchos will send a large contingent of redshirts who will compete unattached plus several regulars to Hays, Kan. for the Fort Hays State Open Saturday. That all-day tournament starts at 9 a.m. and runs until its conclusion.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman; 197

Tanner Cole: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 149

Dayton Garrett: 5' 10"; Junior; 165

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Von Gray: 6' 0"; Sophomore; 141

Cody Karstetter: 5' 7"; Senior; 133

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Sophomore; 141

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 157

Noah McQuigg: 5' 5"; Junior; 133

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman; 197

Tanner Cole
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 149

Dayton Garrett
: 5' 10"; Junior; 165

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Von Gray
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; 141

Cody Karstetter
: 5' 7"; Senior; 133

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; 141

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 157

Noah McQuigg
: 5' 5"; Junior; 133