Wrestling 10/12/2020 10:13:00 AM Chris Brannick

Know The 'Chos: Heath Gray

The University of Central Oklahoma athletic department is showcasing its student-athletes each Monday this fall with a quick glance at who your favorite Bronchos are on and off the mat in a segment called Know The 'Chos, sponsored by McBride Orthopedic Hospital.

Up this week is two-time All-American wrestler Heath Gray, who is poised to post one of the best winning percentages in the school's illustrious history as he enters his final season on the mat this winter.

Gray started his collegiate career at Newman, where he spent one season. He sat out a redshirt season upon arrival at UCO in 2017-17 and posted a 14-1 record competing unattached in various open tournaments that year.

For his official record, Gray began as a sophomore in 2018-19 and went 36-2, with an astounding 21 bonus-point victories and earned All-American honors after a third-place finish at the NCAA Division II national championships. He won titles at the Oklahoma City Open, Nebraska-Kearney Open, and an NCAA regional title. He started the year with a 15-match win streak and added a 19-match win streak after that.

His junior season was even better.

Gray went 29-1 during the 2019-20 season and was ranked No. 1 in the country for nearly the entire season and was named NWCA National Wrestler of the Year.

His only loss came to an Oklahoma State grappler in an open tournament. He won the Lindenwood Open and the Midwest Classic, where he was named Outstanding Wrestler. He won an NCAA regional title for the second time in as many years. He helped the Bronchos to an MIAA Dual Championship and was named MIAA Wrestler of the Year.

Gray is 65-3 in two seasons for the Bronchos, a 95.5 career winning percentage that would beat the current school record of 89.3.

Here's the file:

Name: Heath Gray

Hometown: Chandler, Okla.

Sport: Wrestling

Class: Senior

Major: Industrial Safety; Finance – Insurance & Risk Management

Favorite memory at Central: This would have to be seeing Brik Filippo qualify for nationals last year. The whole team was mat side cheering him on. Brik was able to get the last takedown with short time, when he did this the whole team erupted in cheer. It was awesome to see him accomplish one of his goals that he worked so hard to achieve, and the amount of team camaraderie we had in that moment, it's just a memory that cannot and will not be forgotten.

Best part of UCO: There are so many good things about UCO, it's hard to narrow it down to just one. I think I'd have to say our facilities and just how well the university takes care of us, the student athletes. In the four years I've been here, I've had the luxury to see great changes in the resources given to us here at UCO. Such as the Sports Performance Center, with its state-of-the-art lifting and training facilities. Our new wrestling room, that is without a doubt the best and largest in the state. As well as so much more for our other sports here at UCO. It's been amazing to see the change that has occurred for the university in such a short span of time. I can whole heartedly say there is no place I'd rather be than UCO.

More about this student-athlete: Gray was the No. 1 seed for the 2019-20 NCAA Division II national championships at 184 pounds before the tournament was cancelled the night before it was scheduled to begin. Gray won conference, regional, and national wrestler of the year honors to go with All-American honors following the abruptly ended season.

Gray has won eight tournaments since arriving at UCO, two as an unattached redshirt. He is a two-time regional champion and a two-time All-American. He is aiming to become a three-time All-American and join a list of just 22 other Bronchos to have achieved such a feat.

Gray won 25 matches in his one season at Newman and had 12 bonus-point victories.

He has 60 bonus-point victories as a collegiate wrestler.

Gray went 108-10 during a stellar career at Chandler High School and also won a state championship there.

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Players Mentioned

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 149

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Players Mentioned

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 149

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Junior; 184