Wrestling 10/27/2025 9:00:00 AM

UCO Matmen Ready To Contend For National Championship

11th-ranked Bronchos Have Plenty of Experience Returning in Bid to Capture 18th National Title

A fifth-place finish in the 2025 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships was not up to Central Oklahoma's lofty standards and the Bronchos are eager to prove that this season.

UCO has back 15 individuals with starting experience, led by a pair of returning All-Americans and two past national placers. Add in a host of other lettermen along with a talented group of newcomers and it's obvious the Bronchos will be a prime national contender despite their No. 11 preseason ranking.

"The expectation here is always to win the national championship, so going into Saturday night last year without a chance was disappointing," said 10th-year head coach Todd Steidley, who has led UCO to an 114-13 dual record and two national titles. "I feel like that's really motivated our team. They're not okay with finishing fifth in the country.

"Our guys are upbeat and confident and we're excited about the season."

Leading the Bronchos once again is two-time 157-pound national champion Gabe Johnson, who continues to improve behind a determined work ethic.

UCO also has back two-time All-American Garrett Wells along with past All-Americans Dylan Lucas and Hunter Jump. Wells is moving from 184 to 197 and Jump is going from 165 to 174, while Lucas will be back at 141 and all three are capable of contending for a national title.

The Bronchos will have new starters at several weights, but several of those have seen time in the lineup during their careers and have plenty of experience.

"Every starter will have a chance to be a national qualifier and do well," Steidley said. "There's a lot of competition to be a starter and that competition has helped guys improve.

"We have a lot of talent in the room and our depth is good at pretty much every weight."

So all signs point to the Bronchos making another spirited run at the national championship next March, though a rugged schedule will certainly pose a challenge.

UCO will face six teams ranked in the preseason top 25 during the regular season along with participating in the NWCA Division II National Duals and the prestigious Midwest Classic. And the Bronchos also tangle with Division I Little Rock on opening day.

"Our schedule is tough, but I think it's going to help us," Steidley said. "It has motivated our guys and it will be good for us in the long run. I'm excited about this team and feel like we can be as good as anybody."

Here's a weight-by-weight look at the Bronchos.

125 Pounds: UCO needs to replace a two-time national qualifier here and there are plenty of contenders for the job.
Junior Guy Clevenger is the leading candidate, having seen extensive starting duty the past two years while amassing a 37-10 record. He's wrestled plenty of big matches and is eager to be the main man.

Sophomore Eli Kirk will also be in the hunt and is capable to doing big things. He's dropping down from 133 after going 20-4 with 16 bonus-point wins as a part-time starter there last year.

Additional depth will come from junior Kaden Spragis, a past junior college All-American who redshirted last year, and sophomore letterman Aden Sanders.

133 Pounds: The Bronchos will have a new starter here, with senior Jason Henschel the strong favorite to take over and he should be a top All-America contender.

Henschel was a two-time junior college national runner-up before starting at Division II rival Northern State in 2023-24. He transferred to UCO last year and went 7-1 while redshirting, highlighted by a finals fall over an eventual national qualifier at the Central Missouri Open.

Junior Shaun Muse has seen limited action in his career, but definitely has the talent to be a factor and push for the issue.

Junior Easton Taylor was a two-time juco All-American who redshirted last year and can't be overlooked, while sophomore Dailey Jennings adds more depth.

141 Pounds: UCO actually has two starters back here, though senior Dylan Lucas has the experience advantage over junior Josh Taylor.

Lucas was an All-American at 133 in 2022-23, went 29-7 in qualifying for nationals after bumping to 141 the next season and was 6-2 last year before suffering a season-ending injury. He earned a hardship ruling to come back for another season and looks strong and healthy in his return.

But Taylor won't go quietly. He stepped in last year after Lucas went down and wasn't daunted by the challenge, finishing 21-4 with some big wins before coming up just short of qualifying for nationals with an overtime loss in the regional tournament consolation finals.

A couple of redshirt freshman could also help out here in transfer Canon Acklin and Kasen Miller

149 Pounds: A trio of challengers are battling for the top spot here, though sophomore Bam West probably rates as the early favorite.

Injuries have prevented West from reaching his full potential, but the Bronchos are confident in his abilities and are looking for big things from him.

West will have to fend off a trio of challengers in redshirt freshman transfer Cade Gilbert, sophomore letterman Jaxon Koeltzow and junior Gabe Maki, a past juco All-American who missed last year to injury.

157 Pounds: Back-to-back national titles. Forty-one wins in his last 42 matches. Safe to say that senior star and team leader Gabe Johnson is the main man here and won't be challenged.

Johnson put together a remarkable junior campaign, going 26-1 with 18 bonus-point wins in 2024-25. He avenged his lone loss with a dramatic overtime victory in the national finals and the three-time All-American has a 91-16 career record entering his final season, which he is determined to end with another trip to the top of the podium.

Depth will come from sophomore letterman Grant Gober and freshmen Dylan Bratt, Hayze Ivey and Cole Mayfield.

165 Pounds: This is probably the most wide-open weight in the lineup for the Bronchos, with no clear-cut favorite.

Senior Bryce Dauphin holds a slight edge because of his experience. He went 14-4 in a back-up role last year at 165 and 174, including a tough 4-1 loss to eventual 174 national champion Cole Ritter of Maryville in the Drury Open finals.

Two-time junior letterman Jaxon Randall should figure in the race for the starting spot, as will sophomore letterman Tucker Waitman and redshirt freshman transfer Brady Benham.

It may take awhile for someone to emerge as the main man here, but UCO has confidence that whoever emerges on top will be an All-America contender.

Additional depth will come from freshmen Brantz Bateman and Cooper Zickefoose.

174 Pounds: Former All-American Hunter Jump will take over here after starting the past two seasons at 165.

Jump went 25-8 in 2023-24 in winning the regional title and coming through with a clutch third-place national finish to help the Bronchos to the team title. He won another regional crown last year, but dropped two straight tough matches at the national tournament in finishing 17-7.

Jump came back bigger and stronger this season and should benefit from the move up, with the senior veteran determined to make up for last year's disappointing finish.

Junior college transfer Trey Bennett provides excellent depth, with a number of 165-pounders available if needed.

184 Pounds: A pair of Division I transfers are expected to battle it out for the starting berth here, with both capable of really helping the Bronchos.

Senior Branson Britten has competed in two Division I conference tournaments and probably rates as the slight favorite with his experience advantage. He spend last season at Little Rock and came close to qualifying for the national tournament with a fourth-place conference finish after bumping all the way to heavyweight.

Cameron Johnson is an athletic junior who will push the issue after spending two seasons as a part-time starter at Morgan State.

Senior Seth Sarasua is an experienced veteran who can't be overlooked as he comes back after missing most of last season to injury, while former juco national champion Kaden Glass is also available.

197 Pounds: The Bronchos have a returning starter here, but a two-time All-American moving up a weight is set to take over.

Junior Garrett Wells went 54-17 the past two seasons at 184 in winning back-to-back regional titles before finishing sixth nationally both times. He should benefit from the move up after coming back bigger and stronger, with UCO looking for another stellar season from this proven veteran.

Senior Emmanuel Skillings is quite capable of handling the weight and provides excellent back-up assistance. He went 17-9 while starting all last season and is 44-18 for his career, so the Bronchos know the can count on him.

Sophomore transfer Ryan Nichols and freshman Jackson Blackburn provide additional depth.

Heavyweight: UCO has a pair of juniors back who saw starting duty here last year, though Judson Rowland is expected to fill the starting spot.

Rowland returned to the Bronchos after a two-year absence at the semester break last year and showed what he was capable of in going 12-7. He came up just short of qualifying for nationals with a fourth-place regional tournament finish, but has the ability to be a major factor this season.

Paul Sharp will push the issue after starting the first semester last season, finishing 12-13 with eight falls.

Redshirt freshman Wesley Silvis and rookie Markus Stewart can help out if needed.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Guy Clevenger: 5' 4"; Junior

Bryce Dauphin: 5' 9"; Senior

Kaden Glass: 5' 10"; Junior

Grant Gober: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Jason Henschel: 5' 10"; Senior

Dailey Jennings: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Senior

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Senior

Eli Kirk: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jaxon Koeltzow: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Guy Clevenger
: 5' 4"; Junior

Bryce Dauphin
: 5' 9"; Senior

Kaden Glass
: 5' 10"; Junior

Grant Gober
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Jason Henschel
: 5' 10"; Senior

Dailey Jennings
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Senior

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Senior

Eli Kirk
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jaxon Koeltzow
: 5' 8"; Sophomore