Wrestling 3/5/2024 6:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Here Come The Bronchos

Central Oklahoma Wrestles For 17th National Title In Wichita Next Weekend

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma will compete for the 2024 NCAA Division II Wrestling National Championships just two hours north of campus at Hartman Arena in Wichita, Kansas March 15-16 and UCO athletics is planning on taking over the venue in support of the Bronchos' quest for a 17th national title.

The NCAA announced its selections for the national tournament Sunday and eight Central Oklahoma grapplers were listed following UCO's fourth consecutive regional championship on Saturday. Central Oklahoma won the Super Region IV title this past Saturday in Indianapolis thanks to seven individual champions, one regional finalist, and two more consolation finalists. The seven champs and runner up are headed to Wichita.

The national tournament begins Friday, March 15 with preliminary and first round matches. Quarterfinals and first- and second-round consolations matches will take place in the evening session Friday. Saturday morning will be the semifinals and wrestle backs (seventh-, fifth-, and third-place matches). And finally, Saturday evening is for the championship finals.

UCO has a group block at the Hilton Garden Inn Wichita Downtown and fans are encouraged to make the short trip up I-35 for the national tournament to cheer on the Bronchos.

Dylan Lucas (141), Dylan Brown (149), Gabe Johnson (157), Hunter Jump (165), Anthony DesVigne (174), Garrett Wells (184), and Dalton Abney (197) all won regional championships this past weekend. Shawn Streck (285) came in second. The Bronchos racked up 160 team points to win regionals for the 23rd time in school history. Central Oklahoma is one of four teams with eight qualifiers. Lander leads all DII members with nine qualifiers. Nebraska Kearney, Gannon, McKendree and St. Cloud State also have eight qualifiers.

Brackets for the national championships are scheduled to be released this Friday, March 8, one week ahead of the tournament.

More information will be provided later this week and next week as UCO prepares to takeover Wichita, Kansas as the Bronchos compete for a 17th national championship.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney: 6' 1"; Senior

Anthony DesVigne: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Junior

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Junior

Shawn Streck: 6' 1"; Senior

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Dylan Brown: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Dalton Abney
: 6' 1"; Senior

Anthony DesVigne
: 5' 11"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Junior

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Junior

Shawn Streck
: 6' 1"; Senior

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Dylan Brown
: 5' 6"; Junior