UCO Wrestling Will Host Six Home Events

EDMOND – Defending national champion Central Oklahoma will have six home events during the fast-approaching 2023-24 wrestling season.

The Bronchos of eighth-year head coach Todd Steidley make their debut on Oct. 29 in the Bronze-Blue intrasquad dual and will host Broncho Open the following Sunday, Nov. 5. National championship rings will be presented to members of last year's team prior to the Bronze-Blue match.

UCO will have just four regular season home duals, all set for a Sunday afternoon. The Bronchos meet Newman Dec. 10 and will celebrate the 300th home match at Hamilton Field House. Central is also hosting Maryville on Jan. 14, Central Missouri on Feb. 4 and Drury on Feb. 11. The Bronchos will host Alumni Day on Feb. 4 and Senior Day on Feb. 11.

"It's unfortunate we don't have more home duals, but getting teams to come to Edmond has always been tough for us," Steidley said. "It's a good schedule and hopefully the way we have it set up will get us ready for the postseason.

"We're excited about the season. We have quite a few guys back along with some new ones who are ready to make their mark."

UCO has five road duals scheduled along with trips to the NWCA Division II National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa and the Midwest Duals in Kearney, Neb. The Bronchos will also compete in three early-season open tournaments and the prestigious Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind.

Central will travel back to Indianapolis for the Regional IV Tournament on March 2, with the top-three finishers at each of the 10 weights qualifying for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. That two-day tournament will be held March 15-16 in Wichita, Kan.

The Bronchos return six starters from last year's team that finished 13-1 in duals before capturing their third straight Regional IV Tournament title and rolling to the program's 16th national championship.

National champions Dalton Abney (197 pounds) and Shawn Streck (285) lead the returners. UCO also has back All-Americans Dylan Lucas (moving from 133 to 141), Gabe Johnson (157) and Anthony DesVigne (174) along with national qualifier Studd Morris (125).

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Junior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Studd Morris: 5' 0"; Junior

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Junior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Studd Morris
: 5' 0"; Junior

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Sophomore