Wrestling 3/12/2024 11:00:00 AM

MIAA Champion Bronchos Sweep League Honors

Todd Steidley, Dalton Abney, and Garrett Wells All Win MIAA Postseason Honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association champion Central Oklahoma swept all three postseason awards that were announced by the league office Tuesday.

Todd Steidley was named Coach of the Year, Dalton Abney nabbed Wrestler of the Year honors and Garrett Wells was selected Freshman of the Year in voting of MIAA head coaches.

The top-ranked and defending national champion Bronchos went 5-0 in winning their fourth straight MIAA title.

"It's always rewarding to be recognized by your peers and I'm especially happy for Dalton and Garrett," said Steidley, who is 28-2 against MIAA teams and 101-12 overall in eight years at the helm. "Winning the conference is one of our main goals every year."

Steidley took the coaching award for the second straight year and the third time overall.

Abney and Wells lead Central Oklahoma into the NCAA Division II national tournament this weekend in Wichita, Kan.

Abney enters with a 14-0 record at 197 pounds. The four-time All-American captured his third regional title two weeks ago and will be gunning for a third national championship.

Wells has been a mainstay at 184 all season. The redshirt freshman is 29-7 on the season with 16 bonus-point wins, leading UCO in both wins and falls (nine).

UCO begins its quest for a 17th national title Friday morning at Hartman Arena in Wichita. The Bronchos are sending eight national qualifiers with Abney the No. 1 seed at 197 and Wells the No. 4 seed at 184.

The MIAA also announced its All-Teams last week. Guy Clevenger, Peter Rolle, Dylan Lucas, and Hunter Jump were each named Second Team All-MIAA, and Dylan Brown, Gabe Johnson, Anthony DesVigne, Abney, and Shawn Streck were all named First Team All-MIAA. Selections were based on records within league play.

125 – First Team: Zachary Ourada, Nebraska Kearney (4-0); Second Team: Clevenger (3-0)
133 – First Team: Drew Arnold, Nebraska Kearney (3-0); Second Team: Rolle (4-1)
141 – First Team: Nick James, Nebraska Kearney (4-0); Second Team: Lucas (3-1)
149 – First Team: Brown (3-0); Second Team: Garrett Lyons, Central Missouri (4-1)
157 – First Team: Johnson (5-0); Second Team: Jaylon Otero, Ouachita Baptist (3-2)
165 – First Team: Jace Fisher, Newman (5-0); Second Team: Jump (3-0)
174 – First Team: DesVigne (3-0); Second Team: Trenton Munoz, Nebraska Kearney (2-1)
184 – First Team: Damon Ashworth, Central Missouri (5-0); Second Team: Billy Higgins, Nebraska Kearney (3-1)
197 – First Team: Abney (3-0); Second Team: Jackson Kinsella, Nebraska Kearney (3-1)
285 – First Team: Streck (3-0); Second Team: Crew Howard, Nebraska Kearney (3-1)

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Senior

Guy Clevenger: 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Junior

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Junior

Peter Rolle: 5' 7"; Junior

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Senior

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Dylan Brown: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Senior

Guy Clevenger
: 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Junior

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Junior

Peter Rolle
: 5' 7"; Junior

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Senior

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Dylan Brown
: 5' 6"; Junior