Wrestling 9/29/2024 9:00:00 AM

Defending National Champion Bronchos Face Tough Schedule

Bronchos Have Five Home Duals in 2024-25

EDMOND – Two-time defending NCAA Division II national wrestling champion Central Oklahoma will host five home duals and an open tournament in 2024-25, with four of those events coming during a three-week span late in the season.

UCO went 15-0 in duals before capturing its 23rd regional title and 17th national championship last season. The Bronchos of ninth-year head coach Todd Steidley return seven starters, including four All-Americans.

"It's a challenging schedule," said Steidley, who has a 101-12 dual record at UCO and was the Division II Coach of the Year last season. "We're on the road a lot as usual, but I really think that helps us in the long run. Our guys have been working hard to get ready and we're looking forward to the season."

Central makes its 2024-25 debut at Hamilton Field House on Nov. 3 with the Broncho Open, then begins the dual schedule the following weekend on the road at Maryville and McKendree.

UCO sandwiches its only first-semester home dual on Nov. 22 in the MIAA opener against Ouachita Baptist between a couple of open tournaments before going to Newman and another open tourney. The Bronchos finish the first semester slate at the rugged Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. Dec. 14-15.

The season resumes Jan. 10-11 at the NWCA Division II National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa and UCO finishes with six more duals. Four of those are at home – Colorado State-Pueblo (Jan. 26), Fort Hays State (Feb. 2), Nebraska-Kearney (Feb. 7) and New Mexico Highlands (Feb. 16) – along with road trips to Drury (Jan. 24) and Central Missouri (Feb. 15).

The Bronchos go to Warrensburg, Mo. March 1 for the NCAA Division II Super Regional IV Tournament and then is back in Indianapolis March 14-15 for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships.

Four All-Americans are back for UCO, led by 157-pound national champion Gabe Johnson. Hunter Jump took third at 165, while Dylan Brown placed fourth at 149 and Garrett Wells sixth at 184.

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Players Mentioned

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Junior

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Dylan Brown: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Junior

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Freshman

Dylan Brown
: 5' 6"; Junior