Top-Ranked Bronchos Host Drury Friday

Top-ranked Central Oklahoma returns to the mat for its first dual in nearly a month Friday when the Bronchos host Drury for a 7 p.m. contest at Hamilton Field House.

UCO is 2-0 with lopsided wins over Oklahoma City and Indianapolis, while the Panthers will be making their dual debut.

"We're looking forward to getting back at it," head coach Todd Steidley said. "Drury has a solid team and they're in our region, so there will be a lot of important individual match-ups. Our guys have been working hard and are focused on getting better every day."

The two teams have met just one before, with Central claiming a 41-3 win to open the 2019-20 season.

UCO AT HOME: The Bronchos have enjoyed great success at Hamilton Field House, having compiled a 225-61-2 record since the program was re-instated for the 1972-73 season.

Steidley has a 24-2 home record and the Bronchos are riding a nine-match HFH winning streak.

UCO LINEUP: Here's a look at UCO's probable lineup for Friday:

125 – Paxton Rosen, Jr. (9-1); 133 – Tanner Cole, Jr. (8-2); 141 – Nate Keim, Jr. (8-2); 149 – Brik Filippo, Jr. (9-1); 157 – Ty Lucas, Jr. (7-0): 165 – Anthony DesVigne, So. (9-3); 174 – Kalin Winkler, Jr. (8-2); 184 – Alex Kauffman, Jr. (13-2); 197 – Dalton Abney, So. (4-0); Hvy – Braden Morgan, RS Fr. (11-4).

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO's starters haven't competed since going to the Lindenwood Open on Nov. 20.

The Bronchos have seven individuals ranked in the top 10 at their respective weight, led by two No. 1s in 184 Heath Gray and 197 Dalton Abney. Gray will sit out tonight's dual, with Alex Kauffman going in his place.

Tanner Cole is second at 133, while Ty Lucas is fifth at 157, Paxton Rosen sixth at 125, Brik Filippo seventh at 149 and Nate Keim is 10th at 141. Keim will face Drury's fifth-ranked Peter Kuster in the feature bout Friday.

Lucas (7-0) and Abney (4-0) are both undefeated on the young season. Paxton and Filippo each have just one loss at 9-1.

UCO's Friday night starters are a combined 86-17 on the season with 41 bonus-point wins.

UP NEXT: The Bronchos will send a large contingent of back-ups and potential redshirts to the Bob Smith Open hosted by Fort Hays State on Sunday. UCO's main unit travels to Indianapolis for the Midwest Classic Dec. 18-19, a rugged event that annually attracts most of the top teams in Division II.

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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

Alex Kauffman: 5' 10"; 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

Alex Kauffman
: 5' 10"; Junior