Bronchos Move Up One Spot In National Poll

MANHEIM, Pa. (Dec. 2) – Central Oklahoma moved up one spot in the first regular season rankings that were released Friday, coming in at No. 3 in the National Wrestling Coaches Association NCAA Division II poll.

Click here for complete team/individual rankings.

The Bronchos have eight individuals listed in the top 12 at their respective weight and finished with 60 points in the point-based rankings.

St. Cloud State took over the No. 1 spot from preseason favorite and defending national champion Nebraska-Kearney, outpointing the Lopers 82-72. Indianapolis and Lander tied for fifth with 54 points.

Defending champion Dalton Abney stayed atop the 197-pound rankings to lead UCO's individuals. Abney has been No. 1 since the start of the 2021-22 season and went 26-0 in making that stand up.

The junior star and three-time All-American is 2-0 this season heading into Saturday's Drury Open in Springfield, Mo.

UCO's only other top-four individual is All-American Shawn Streck, who stayed third at heavyweight. Streck is set to make his season debut this weekend after recovering from off-season surgery.

Alex Kauffman is ranked fifth at 184, while 125 Studd Morris is seventh, 149 Brik Filippo and 157 Gabe Johnson ninth and 141 Nate Keim and 165 Ty Lucas 12th.

Kauffman and Filippo are returning All-Americans. Kauffman is moving to 184 this season after placing sixth nationally at 174 last year, but he's not scheduled to wrestle until the NWCA Division II National Duals in January.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Senior; 149

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Alex Kauffman: 5' 10"; Senior

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Senior; 141

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Senior; 157

Studd Morris: 5' 0"; Junior

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Senior; 149

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Alex Kauffman
: 5' 10"; Senior

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Senior; 141

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Senior; 157

Studd Morris
: 5' 0"; Junior

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Junior; 285