Bronchos Ready For Midwest Classic

No. 4 Central Oklahoma Begins Two-Day Tournament This Weekend In Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – No. 4-ranked Central Oklahoma concludes its first semester schedule this weekend when the defending national champion Bronchos trek to Indianapolis for the 44th Midwest Classic.

UCO will be gunning for its third straight title in the prestigious two-day tournament hosted by the University of Indianapolis, with 51 teams – including 21 ranked in Division II's top 25 – set to attend.

First-round action begins at 10 a.m. (Eastern) Saturday at Nicoson Hall and Ruth Lilly Gymnasium and runs all day. The largest regular season tournament in Division II resumes at 10 a.m. Sunday and concludes with the finals at 3 p.m.

Seven top-10 teams highlight the huge field, led by No. 1 Lander, No. 3 Indy, No. 4 UCO, No. 5 Mary, No. 7 Wisconsin-Parkside, No. 8 Lake Erie and No. 9 Upper Iowa.

"There are a lot of really good teams in the tournament and it's going to be a big challenge for us," head coach Todd Steidley said. "We're missing a few starters, but it's a great opportunity for some of our guys and I'm excited to see what we can do.

"We've made some big strides since the start of the season," Steidley continued. "There's still a lot of work to do to get where we want to be, but I like the direction we're headed."

The Bronchos scored a tournament-record 178.5 points in claiming last year's title, outpointing runner-up Pittsburgh-Johnstown by 83.5 points. Dylan Lucas (133), Dalton Abney (197) and Shawn Streck (Hvy) captured individual titles as all 10 individuals placed in the top six.

UCO LINEUP Here's a look at Central's lineup, with national ranking and record:

125 – Guy Clevenger, RS Fr. (14-6); 133 – Peter Rolle, Jr. (7-3); 141 – No. 3 Dylan Lucas, Jr. (10-1); 149 – Dylan Brown, Jr. (4-0); 157 – No. 2 Gabe Johnson, So. (5-2); 165 – Hunter Jump, Jr. (7-2); 174 – Jaxon Randall, RS Fr. (14-4); 184 – Garrett Wells, RS Fr. (12-4); 197 – Emmanuel Skillings, So. (11-4); Hvy – Braden Morgan, Jr. (2-0).

ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO will have three redshirt freshmen, two sophomores and five juniors in the lineup this weekend and only two of those competed in last year's tournament – 141 Dylan Lucas and 157 Gabe Johnson, both returning All-Americans.

Lucas has moved up a weight this season after steamrolling his way to the 133 title last year, going 5-0 with four bonus-point wins in claiming Outstanding Wrestler honors. Johnson went 4-1 in finishing runner-up.

Lucas is 10-1 with six bonus wins this season and takes a 10-match winning streak into the weekend. Johnson is 5-2 with five bonus victories in limited action.

UCO's three redshirt freshmen top the team in wins. Guy Clevenger (125) and Jaxon Randall (174) both have 14 wins, while 184 Garrett Wells has 12.

Clevenger is 14-6 with eight bonus wins, Randall has 13 bonus wins in a 14-4 start and Wells is 12-4 with nine bonus victories. Randall went 13-4 in three open tournaments at 165 before earning a technical fall at 174 in UCO's 40-5 rout of Newman Sunday afternoon in Edmond.

Dylan Brown (149) saw his only action in going 4-0 to win the Drury Open crown two weeks ago.

The Bronchos will be without defending national champions Dalton Abney (197) and Shawn Streck (Hvy) along with All-American Anthony DesVigne (184). Abney and Streck won Midwest Classic titles last year, while DesVigne was runner-up.

Abney made his season debut in Sunday's dual against Newman, racking up five takedowns in a 19-4 first-period technical fall. DesVigne is 8-1 with six bonus wins and Streck will return in January.

UCO will take a break for the holidays, not returning to action until going to Cedar Falls, Iowa for the NWCA Division II National Duals Jan. 5-6, 2024.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Junior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Braden Morgan: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Peter Rolle: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Emmanuel Skillings: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Guy Clevenger: 5' 4"; Freshman

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Junior; 197

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Junior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Freshman

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Braden Morgan
: 6' 2"; Sophomore

Peter Rolle
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Emmanuel Skillings
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Junior; 285

Guy Clevenger
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Sophomore