Wrestling 10/21/2022 4:06:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Fourth In Preseason Rankings

Central Oklahoma Has Six Individuals Nationally Ranked in NWCA Poll

MANHEIM, Pa. – Central Oklahoma is ranked fourth in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Preseason Top 25, announced Friday.

SEE THE COMPLETE RANKINGS HERE

UCO has six individuals ranked in their respective weight classes, led by returning national champion and three-time All-American Dalton Abney, who is ranked No. 1 at 197 pounds.

Abney went 26-0 last season on his way to winning the NCAA Division II national title at 197 pounds. He posted 10 falls and had 14 total bonus-point wins with an additional four major decisions to go with his 10 falls.

Brik Filippo (149) and Shawn Streck (285) are both ranked No. 3 in their respective weight classes. Alex Kauffman (184) is ranked fifth, Gabe Johnson (157) is 10th, and Nate Keim (141) is 11th.

Filippo went 28-4 last season, earning All-American honors with a fifth-place finish at nationals. He has a 71-21 career record with 29 bonus-point victories.

Streck transferred to Central Oklahoma last season and went on to earn All-American honors at heavyweight. Streck posted a 12-2 record and finished sixth at the national championships.

Kauffman also transferred to UCO last season and wore many hats for the Bronchos, wrestling at 174, 184, and 197 pounds. He finished the season with a 29-8 record and finished sixth at the national championships.

Johnson was a national qualifier at 149 pounds as a true freshman two years ago. He redshirted last season and posted a 21-3 record at 157 pounds. That included nine falls and five major decisisons.

Keim was also national qualifier his redshirt freshman season in 2018-19 and has narrowly missed in each of the last three seasons. He went 23-6 last season, including a nine-match win streak and a seven-match win streak.

Central Oklahoma finished national runners-up in 2021-22. It was the best finish for the Bronchos since winning the last of UCO's 15 national titles in 2007. Central returns 25 squad members from last season's roster.

The 2022-23 season begins Friday, Nov. 4 at Hamilton Field House with the Bronchos hosting No. 17 Northern State. The Wolves of Aberdeen, South Dakota have three individuals ranked at 149, 184 and 197.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Junior; 149

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Freshman

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Junior; 141

Alex Kauffman: 5' 10"; Junior

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 285

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 197

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Junior; 149

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Freshman

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Junior; 141

Alex Kauffman
: 5' 10"; Junior

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Sophomore; 285