Bronchos Take Over No. 1 Spot In Mat Poll

TEAM/INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS

MANHEIM, Pa. (Dec. 3) – For the first time in 14 years Central Oklahoma resides atop the National Wrestling Coaches' Association Division II poll after the Bronchos took over the No. 1 spot in the first regular-season rankings.

UCO garnered 85 points in moving up from its preseason standing of fourth, edging St. Cloud State by one point. Nebraska-Kearney is third in the poll with 74 points, followed by West Liberty (70) and Lindenwood (57).

It's the first time Central has been No. 1 since Oct. 23, 2007, which was the preseason poll for the 2007-08 season. The Bronchos captured the last of their 15 national championships the year before.

"It's great for the recognition it brings the program, but it's not going to win us any matches," sixth-year head coach Todd Steidley said. "Our goal is to be number one at the end of the national tournament, not in December. It's a long season and we still have a lot of work to do to get where we want to be."

Seven UCO individuals are ranked in the top 10 at their respective weight, led by No. 1 picks Heath Gray and Dalton Abney.

Gray is the defending national champion at 184 pounds and has topped the rankings since January of 2020. Abney, last year's national runner-up at 197, was also No. 1 in the preseason rankings and easily retained his perch at the top.

UCO's other ranked individuals are 133 Tanner Cole (second), 157 Ty Lucas (fifth), 125 Paxton Rosen (sixth), 149 Brik Filippo (seventh) and 141 Nate Keim (10th).

The Bronchos will send a large contingent of non-starters to the Jet Invitational in Wichita, Kan. Sunday and then host Drury for a 7 p.m. dual on Friday, Dec. 10.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

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

Tanner Cole: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 149

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Sophomore; 141

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 157

Paxton Rosen: 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

Tanner Cole
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; 149

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Junior; 184

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; 141

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; 157

Paxton Rosen
: 5' 3"; Junior