No. 3 UCO Opens Season Friday

No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma will make its long-awaited season debut Friday when the Bronchos host a pair of NCAA Division II rivals at Hamilton Field House.

UCO takes on Ouachita Baptist at 4 p.m. and then goes against Emmanuel at 6 p.m. Those two teams will start the day with a 2 p.m. contest.

No spectators will be allowed to attend in accordance with the latest university health and safety protocols regarding COVID-19. All three duals will be live streamed free of charge on the MIAA Network.

"We're anxious to finally get started and meet some outside competition," said head coach Todd Steidley, who is 55-11 heading into his fifth season at the helm. "It's been tough to stay focused when all we're doing is practicing, but our guys have done a good job and they're ready to go."

OBU and Emmanuel have each wrestled five duals, with the Tigers from Arkadelphia, Ark. coming in at 1-4 while the Lions from Franklin Springs, Ga. –- coached by former UCO letterman Link Davis –- are 0-5.

The Bronchos have a 12-2 series lead over Ouachita and won last year's meeting 51-0. Central blanked Emmanuel 53-0 last season in the first-ever dual between the two.

Central is led by top-ranked 184-pounder Heath Gray, who was named Division II Wrestler of the Year last season. The two-time All-American is 65-3 with 42 bonus-point wins in his two-year UCO career.

Ty Lucas and Dalton Abney are also returning All-Americans. Lucas is ranked second at 157, while Abney is rated third at 197.

The Bronchos follow Friday's duals with a trip to Wichita, Kan. Sunday to open Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association action against No. 23 Newman.

Here's a look at each team's projected lineup for Friday's action:

UCO (0-0)
125 - Tanner Cole, Jr. or Garrett Steidley, Fr.
133 - Thaddeus Long, RS Fr. or Paxton Rosen, Jr.
141 - Nate Keim, Jr.
149 - Gabe Johnson, Fr. or Brik Filippo, Jr.
157 - Ty Lucas, Jr.
165 - Dayton Garrett, Sr.
174 - Wyatt Jordan, Sr.
184 - Heath Gray, Sr.
197 - Dalton Abney, So.
Hvy - Christian Arriola, So.

Ouachita Baptist (1-4)
125 - Brandon Anderson, Fr. or Noah Yeamans, RS Fr.
133 - Evan Kennedy, Fr. or Cole McCartney, Fr.
141 - Jessie Hodge, Jr. or Alex Thyes, So.
149 - Jaylon Otero, Fr. or Brody Jacks, Fr.
157 - Chase Howerton, Fr.
165 - Jackson Carter, Fr.
174 - Will Martin, Fr. or Rey Reyes, So.
184 - Void
197 - Ryan Cochran, Fr. or Ricky Rogers, Fr.
Hvy - Johnny Green , So. or Don Paul, Fr.

Emmanuel (0-5)
125 - Tyler Snowden, Fr., Anthony Cruz, RS-Fr, Eli Holton, Fr. or Deven Perez, Jr.
133 – Allen Stone, Fr. or Martrez Huff, So.
141 – Nick Voiles, Jr.
149 – Dalton Flint, Sr.
157 – Jesse DeJames, So.
165 – Jonathan Oldknow, Fr.
174 – Myles Williams, Jr.
184 – Markis Hill, So.
197 – Hayden Snowden, RS Fr.
Hvy - Void

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Christian Arriola: 6' 3"; Sophomore; 285

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Junior; 149

Dayton Garrett: 5' 10"; Senior; 165

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Senior; 184

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Junior; 141

Thaddeus Long: 5' 5"; Redshirt Freshman

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Junior; 157

Wyatt Jordan: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Christian Arriola
: 6' 3"; Sophomore; 285

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Junior; 149

Dayton Garrett
: 5' 10"; Senior; 165

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Senior; 184

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Junior; 141

Thaddeus Long
: 5' 5"; Redshirt Freshman

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Junior; 157

Wyatt Jordan
: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Freshman