Bronchos Move Up In National Poll

TEAM RANKINGS
INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

FAYETTE, Iowa (Feb. 21) – Central Oklahoma moved up one spot in the newest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II poll that was released Friday, coming in at No. 5 in the final regular season rankings.

The Bronchos have five individuals ranked in the top-eight at their respective weight and collected 61 points in the poll. Two-time defending national champion St. Cloud State stayed atop the rankings with 104 points, followed by McKendree (82 points), Pittsburgh-Johnstown (69), Notre Dame College (64) and UCO.

Central's only losses in a 12-2 dual season were to St. Cloud (22-12) and McKendree (20-12).

Heath Gray stayed No. 1 at 184 pounds to lead UCO's ranked individuals. Ty Lucas stayed third at 157, Tanner Cole moved up one spot to No. 4 at 125, Dalton Abney went up a position to fifth and Cody Karstetter debuted at No. 8.

Gray is 26-1 on the season with 20 bonus-point wins and is riding a 25-match winning streak. Lucas has a 16-7 record with his only two Division II losses to the individuals ranked ahead of him, while Cole is 18-5 and has won eight of his nine matches. Abney is 11-1 with the lone setback to the No. 1 and Karstetter is 10-4.

The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association champion Bronchos are preparing for the NCAA Division II Regional IV Tournament that will be held March 1 in Hays, Kan. The top-three finishers in each of the 10 weight classes of that 10-team event qualify for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, set for March 13-14 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

Tanner Cole: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Cody Karstetter: 5' 7"; Senior; 133

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 157

Players Mentioned

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

Tanner Cole
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Cody Karstetter
: 5' 7"; Senior; 133

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 157