Wrestling Adds Huge Recruiting Class

EDMOND (July 12) – Perennial national wrestling power Central Oklahoma made an impressive haul on the recruiting trail this year, with the Bronchos adding 24 newcomers to the roster for 2019-20.

UCO is bringing in 19 high school standouts – 18 of those from Oklahoma – along with five transfers. The class was recently rated No. 1 in the country for NCAA Division II by The Open Mat, a website devoted to amateur wrestling.

"This is an outstanding class and we're exciting about having these young men join our program," said head coach Todd Steidley, who will be entering his fourth season at the helm. "We filled a lot of our needs along with adding great depth and expect several of these guys to compete for a spot in the starting lineup."

Set to join the 15-time national champion Bronchos from the high school ranks is 141-pounder Cade Evans of Westmoore, Logan Farrell (125-33) of Tuttle, Tyler Garcia of Wagoner (165-74), Kobi Gomez (141-49) of Altus, Hunter Jump (165) of Duncan, Kobey Kizarr (141) of Marlow, Kyle Knowles (149-57) and Peter Rolle (141) of Edmond Memorial, Mitchell Lance (125-33) of Piedmont, Thaddaus Long (125-33) of Tulsa Edison, Christian Maldondo (174) and Montana Phillips (285) of Lawton MacArthur, Korbin McLaughlin (285) of Skiatook, Garrett Messimore (141-49) of Grove, Braden Morgan (197) of El Dorado, Kan., Studd Morris (125) of Yukon, Spencer Schikram (141-49) of Ponca City, Eriq Simpson (184-97) of Cushing and J.T. Stambeck (174-84) of Norman North.

UCO also added transfers Garrett Beier (285) from Oklahoma State, Gage Gomez (133) and Gage McBride (174) from Barton County (Kan.) Community College, Zach Moore (149-57) from West Virginia and Katlin Winkler (174-84) from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Jump and Phillips were both four-time state placers, with each winning two titles. Phillips also captured a Cadet freestyle national championship and was a Cadet Greco national runner-up, while Jump earned Cadet freestyle All-America honors.

Kobi Gomez and Morgan were both two-time state champions. Morgan also placed in National High School Coaches Association National Tournament twice, taking third in 2018 and second this year.

Kizarr, Long, Maldondo, McLaughlin and Schikram each won one state title. Kizarr is the son of former UCO All-American Keith Kizarr.

Moore headlines the transfer list, coming to the Bronchos for his final collegiate season after starting most of the last three years for the Mountaineers. He was a prep standout at Putnam City, capping his career as a senior with a state championship and perfect 32-0 record.

Gage Gomez was two-time junior college national qualifier at Barton, placing third as a freshman. McBride and Winkler both qualified for nationals this past season, with McBride claiming All-America honors with a fourth-place finish.

UCO went 12-4 in duals and finished 16th in the NCAA Division II national tournament last year. Eight starters are slated to return, led by 184-pound All-American Heath Gray.

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Players Mentioned

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Sophomore; 174

Players Mentioned

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Sophomore; 174