UCO To Host Fort Hays State Thursday

Top-ranked Central Oklahoma returns to Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association action this week with a pair of duals, one at Hamilton Field House and the other on the road.

The defending league champion Bronchos, 9-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, host No. 17 Fort Hays State (1-10, 0-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday before traveling to Warrensburg, Mo. Sunday to take on Central Missouri (0-3, 0-0) at 2 p.m.

UCO picked up a pair of wins at the Midwest Duals last weekend despite missing several starters and the Bronchos probably won't be at full strength again.

"We've got a few guys banged up that may not be able to go this week," said head coach Todd Steidley, who is 82-12 in his seventh year at the helm. "We need to make sure to get everybody healthy and back to full strength for the end of the season.

"The good thing is our depth is pretty good at most weights, so we have guys ready to step in."

UCO has just two duals remaining after this week, both at home against top-10 teams. The Bronchos take on No. 8 Adams State on Feb. 3 before wrapping up the dual season Feb. 12 against No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney.

Central will also host the NCAA Division II Super Regional IV Tournament on Feb. 26. The top-three placers at each weight in that 11-team tournament qualify for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, set for March 10-11 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

UCO LINEUP: Here's a look at the tentative lineup for this week's duals:

125 – No. 9 Studd Morris, Jr. (24-5) or Garrett Steidley, RS Fr. (13-8); 133 – No. 8 Dylan Lucas, So. (15-3) or Peter Rolle, So. (0-0); 141 – No. 8 Nate Keim, Sr. (17-6) or Josh Taylor, RS Fr. (12-4); 149 – No. 9 Brik Filippo, Sr. (18-7) or Antonio George, So. (0-0); 157 – No. 3 Gabe Johnson, RS Fr. (23-5) or Garrett Messimore, So. (12-6); 165 – No. 7 Ty Lucas, Sr. (13-8); 174 – No. 10 Anthony DesVigne, Jr. (22-5); 184 – No. 11 Alex Kauffman, Sr. (6-1); 197 – Emmanuel Skillings, RS Fr. (3-0); Hvy – No. 2 Shawn Streck, Jr. (16-0) or Braden Morgan, So. (13-1).

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO downed Western Colorado 35-10 and Chadron State 25-12 last weekend at the Midwest Duals in Kearney, Neb. The Bronchos dominated down the stretch in both duals, scoring
four straight bonus-point wins to pull away from the Mountaineers before taking the final four matches again in rallying past the Eagles.

UCO has won 28 of its last 29 duals and is riding a 14-match winning streak at Hamilton Field House. The Bronchos' last home loss was a 19-15 setback to Nebraska-Kearney on Feb. 3, 2019.

Third-ranked 157 Gabe Johnson led UCO at the Midwest Duals with a pair of bonus-point wins, rolling to a 15-0 technical fall and 12-4 major decision. He's 23-5 on the season with eight bonus wins.

Ninth-ranked 125 Studd Morris, No. 10 174 Anthony DesVigne, 11th-rated 184 Alex Kauffman, 197 Emmanuel Skillings and Hvy Braden Morgan also went 2-0 on the day.

Skillings had 17-2 and 11-5 wins filling in for Dalton Abney, while Morgan notched a fall and 4-2 overtime win subbing for Shawn Streck. Abney and Streck are both ranked No. 2, with Streck UCO's lone unbeaten at 16-0.

Morris has won a team-high 24 matches (24-5), with Johnson and DesVigne (22-5) having also reached the 20-win plateau.

ABOUT THE TIGERS: Fort Hays State is 17th in the team rankings despite a 1-10 record, with the Tigers featuring two individuals listed No. 4 at their weight.

Oklahoma State transfer Cade Lindsey is 27-5 at 174, while returning national qualifier Tereus Henry is 24-2 at 197. Henry was runner-up to Abney at the Midwest Classic in December, losing a 2-1 decision.

The Bronchos have a 36-4 lead in a series that started with the 1973-74 season opener. UCO has won the last six meetings, including a 34-0 shutout last year in Hays, Kan.

FHSU's probable lineup: 125 – Kevin Honas, Fr. (6-9); 133 – Corbin White, Fr. (3-15); 141 – Jacob Mitchell, Jr. (3-10); 149 – Drew Burgoon, So. (7-14); 157 – Cody Hicks, So. (13-10); 165 – Juan Urbina, Jr. (3-5); 174 – Cade Lindsey, So. (28-4) or Hunter Schroeder, RS Fr. (3-10); 184 – Bryce Westmoreland, Jr. (8-15); 197 – Tereus Henry, So. (26-3); Hvy – Tony Caldwell, So. (16-13).

ABOUT THE MULES: Central Missouri opened its dual season at the Midwest Duals last weekend, going 0-3.

The Mules have two ranked individuals in 149 Darick Lapaglia (10th) and 165 John Ridle (eighth), both returning All-Americans.

UCO has a dominating 44-0 lead in a series that started during the 1973-74 season, the most wins the Bronchos have against any opponent.

UCM's probable lineup: 125 – open; 133 – Tommy Frezza, So. Or Trevor Wishne, So.; 141 – Kaden Stanley, RS Fr. Or Johnny Akin, RS Fr.; 149 – Darick Lapaglia, Jr. or Charlie Getz, Fr.; 157 – J.D. Culp, So. Or Conor Johnston, So.; 165 – John Ridle, Jr. or Nolan Saale, Jr.; 174 – Austin Morgan, Sr. or Max Rosario, RS Fr.; 184 – Zach Hazen, Sr. or Brayden Dillow, So.; 197 – Trent Strong, So.; Hvy – Matthias Ervin, So.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Junior

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

Garrett Messimore: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Braden Morgan: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Studd Morris: 5' 0"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Junior

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

Garrett Messimore
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Braden Morgan
: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Studd Morris
: 5' 0"; Junior