Bronchos Return To Mat At Drury Open

No. 3 Central Oklahoma Continues Tournament Season In Missouri

No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma returns to the mat this weekend after a two-week break when the Bronchos travel to Springfield, Mo. for the Drury Open.

First-round action starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at Weiser Gym on the Drury campus and the tournament will run all day. Up to 27 teams are expected to send entries, with UCO set to have 23 individuals participate.

"We took a little time off for Thanksgiving and that's allowed us to get a few people back who had been banged up a little bit," head coach Todd Steidley said. "We've had some good, productive practices and the guys are working hard.

"This will be a good tournament for us and I'm anxious to see how who do, especially in a few places where guys haven't wrestled much this season."

The Bronchos have just two first-semester events remaining after this weekend. UCO will host MIAA rival Newman for its first home dual – and the 300th at Hamilton Field House – on Dec. 10 before going to Indianapolis, Ind. Dec. 16-17 for the rugged Midwest Classic.

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO hasn't competed since finishing with seven placers in the Lindenwood Open on Nov. 18. All-American Anthony DesVigne led the way in that event with a runner-up showing at 184 pounds, going 3-1 with three bonus-point wins.

Two other returning All-Americans also placed at Lindenwood, with Dylan Lucas taking third at 141 in his season debut and Gabe Johnson fourth at 157. Lucas will be back in action this weekend, but Johnson will sit out.

The Bronchos will again be without national champions Dalton Abney and Shawn Streck, with neither expected to compete until the NWCA Division II National Duals Jan. 5-6.

Redshirt freshman 165 Jaxon Randall has won a team-high 10 matches in the early going, carrying a 10-2 record with nine bonus wins. He's placed in both open tournaments UCO has wrestled in this season along with 125 Guy Clevenger (9-4), 184 Garrett Wells (8-3) and 197 Emmanuel Skillings (8-4).

Antonio George has an 8-4 mark at 149, having earned bonus points in all eight victories.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Junior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Emmanuel Skillings: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Guy Clevenger: 5' 4"; Freshman

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jaxon Randall: 5' 11"; Freshman

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Freshman

Antonio George: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Junior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Emmanuel Skillings
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Guy Clevenger
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jaxon Randall
: 5' 11"; Freshman

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Freshman

Antonio George
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman