Bronchos Take Over No. 1 Spot In Mat Poll

NWCA RANKINGS

MANHEIM, Pa. (Dec. 23) – There's a new team atop the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II poll -- a Central Oklahoma squad coming off a dominating showing in last weekend's Midwest Classic.

The Bronchos of head coach Todd Steidley amassed 114 points in the second regular season poll, which is based on points earned by ranked individuals. All 10 UCO wrestlers are listed in the top 10 at their respective weight, led by No. 1 Dalton Abney at 197.

Defending national champion Nebraska-Kearney is second with 83 points, followed by St. Cloud State (75), West Liberty (60) and Lander (51). Rounding out the top 10 is Adams State, Pittsburgh-Johnstown, Millersville, Wisconsin-Parkside and Upper Iowa.

"We had a great weekend and it's good to see our guys rewarded for that," Steidley said. "But at the same time, it doesn't mean much at this point. There's still a lot of work ahead and we have to stay focused on the task at hand, which is to get a little better every day."

Abney, the defending national champion who is riding a 39-match winning streak, is UCO's lone No. 1 individual but the Bronchos have five others in the top four.

Dylan Lucas (133), Gabe Johnson (157) and Shawn Streck (Hvy) are all No. 2, while 165 Ty Lucas and 184 Anthony DesVigne are both ranked fourth. Brik Filippo is sixth at 149, Tre'Vaughn Craig eighth at 174, Nate Keim ninth at 141 and Studd Morris 10th at 125.

UCO overwhelmed the 43-team field at the Midwest Classic in Indianapolis last weekend, racking up a tournament-record 178.5 points in beating runner-up Pittsburgh-Johnstown by 83.5 points.

The Bronchos got gold medal efforts from Dylan Lucas, Abney and Streck along with runner-up finishes from Johnson and DesVigne. All 10 individuals placed in the top six.

D. Lucas earned Outstanding Wrestler honors in the tournament and Monday was named MIAA Wrestler of the Week. The sophomore was seeded eighth in the tournament, but went 5-0 with four bonus-point wins while beating the Nos. 1, 2 and 5 seeds.

UCO returns to practice next week to begin preparing for the NWCA Division II National Duals, which are set for action Jan. 6-7 in Louisville, Ky. The Bronchos won last year's title, beating St. Cloud State in the finals.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Tre'Vaughn Craig: 5' 11"; Senior

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Junior

Brik Filippo: 5' 8"; Senior; 149

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Nate Keim: 5' 7"; Senior; 141

Ty Lucas: 5' 9"; Senior; 157

Studd Morris: 5' 0"; Junior

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Tre'Vaughn Craig
: 5' 11"; Senior

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Junior

Brik Filippo
: 5' 8"; Senior; 149

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Nate Keim
: 5' 7"; Senior; 141

Ty Lucas
: 5' 9"; Senior; 157

Studd Morris
: 5' 0"; Junior

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Sophomore