Gray Earns Top MIAA Honor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 25) – Central Oklahoma 184-pounder Heath Gray has been named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Wrestler of the Year and was joined on the first-team All-MIAA squad by four teammates, the league office announced Thursday.

Also making the first-team unit were fellow All-Americans Paxton Rosen (125), Tanner Cole (133), Ty Lucas (157) and Dalton Abney (197). Nate Keim (141), Gabe Johnson (149) and Wyatt Jordan (174) were second-team picks.

The Bronchos finished 5-0 in duals in 2021, though they weren't able to complete their MIAA schedule for health and safety reasons. UCO also won the Super Regional IV team title and came in sixth at the NCAA Division II Championships.

It's the second straight season for Gray to win the top MIAA award and he was also named the league's Most Dominant Wrestler after collecting nine bonus-point wins in finishing 13-0.

Gray captured the NCAA Division II national championship March 13 in St. Louis, Mo. in becoming a three-time All-American. He has a 78-3 career record in three years with the Bronchos with a 41-match winning streak and is eligible to return in 2021-22 after the NCAA granted all winter sports student-athletes an extra year of eligibility.

Abney was a regional and national runner-up this season, ending the year with a 10-2 record that included a team-high five falls. Cole finished 8-2 and placed third in both the regional and national tournaments.

Lucas and Rosen were both regional champions, with Lucas placing fifth at nationals in finishing 11-3 while Rosen took sixth at nationals to end up with a 9-3 record.

Johnson and Jordan were both national tournament qualifiers, with Keim coming up just short after finishing fourth in the regional. Johnson finished 9-3 with six bonus wins, Johnson had a 6-4 record and Keim went 6-3.

2020-021 MIAA Wrestling Postseason Awards
Wrestler of the Year – Heath Gray, Central Oklahoma
Freshman of the Year – Joseph Reimers, Nebraska-Kearney
Most Dominant Wrestler – Heath Gray, Central Oklahoma
Coach of the Year – Dalton Jensen, Nebraska-Kearney

2021 All-MIAA First-Team
125 – Paxton Rosen – Central Oklahoma, Junior
133 – Tanner Cole – Central Oklahoma, Junior
141 – Nick James – Nebraska-Kearney, RS Freshman
149 – Sam Turner – Nebraska-Kearney, Senior
157 – Ty Lucas – Central Oklahoma, Junior
165 – Matt Malcom – Nebraska-Kearney, Senior
174 – Terrell Garraway – Nebraska-Kearney, Junior
184 – Heath Gray – Central Oklahoma, Senior
197 – Dalton Abney – Central Oklahoma, Sophomore
285 – Lee Herrington – Nebraska-Kearney, Sophomore

2021 All-MIAA Second-Team
125 – Mason Turner – Fort Hays State, Sophomore
133 – Wesley Dawkins – Nebraska-Kearney, Senior
141 – Nate Keim – Central Oklahoma, Junior
149 – Gabe Johnson – Central Oklahoma, Freshman
157 – Jacob Wasser – Nebraska-Kearney, Senior
165 – Kameron Frame – Newman, Junior
174 – Wyatt Jordan – Central Oklahoma, Senior
184 – Austin Eldredge – Nebraska-Kearney, Junior
197 – Joseph Reimers – Nebraska-Kearney, RS Freshman
285 - AJ Cooper – Fort Hays State, Senior

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Tanner Cole: 5' 6"; Junior

Heath Gray: 5' 11"; Senior; 184

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Junior; 141

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Junior; 157

Wyatt Jordan: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Freshman

Paxton Rosen: 5' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Tanner Cole
: 5' 6"; Junior

Heath Gray
: 5' 11"; Senior; 184

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Junior; 141

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Junior; 157

Wyatt Jordan
: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Freshman

Paxton Rosen
: 5' 3"; Junior