Bronchos Move Up To No. 7 In Mat Poll

UCO Opens Home Season Saturday With 1 p.m. Dual Against No. 11 McKendree

MANHEIM, Pa. – Central Oklahoma jumped four spots in the first regular-season NCAA Division II rankings released Thursday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, coming in at No. 7.

The Bronchos of 10th-year head coach Todd Steidley earned 48 points in the poll that awards points to the top 15 at each of the 10 weights and have seven ranked individuals, topped by No. 1 pick Gabe Johnson at 157 pounds.

UCO also has Jason Henschel ranked fourth at 133, while 197 Garrett Wells is sixth, 141 Dylan Lucas ninth, 174 Hunter Jump 14th, 184 Branson Britten 14th and Hvy Judson Rowland 14th.

Defending national champion Nebraska-Kearney finished with 76 points in maintaining its perch atop the poll. Lander came in second with 69 points, followed by Tiffin (57), Wisconsin-Parkside (52), Gannon (50), Kutztown (49) and the Bronchos.

UCO, 2-1 on the season, makes its home debut Saturday with a 1 p.m. showdown against No. 11 McKendree (1-1) at Hamilton Field House.

That dual will feature four matches between ranked individuals – 133 where Henschel will face No. 7 Thaddeus Long, 174 where Jump meets No. 15 Zeke Waltz, 184 where Britten takes on No. 6 Darion Johnson and 197 where Wells challenges No. 5 Logan Kvien.

Johnson, Henschel and Wells are all 3-0 on the young season to lead the Bronchos.

A two-time defending national champion, Johnson has two first-period falls along with an 8-4 win in UCO's dual loss to Division I Little Rock. Henschel owns two technical falls and a 10-5 victory over 141's previously top-ranked Jimmy Anderson of Ouachita Baptist and Wells has given up just three points – all on escapes – in a trio of easy wins.

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Players Mentioned

Jason Henschel: 5' 10"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Senior

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Senior

Dylan Lucas: 5' 6"; Senior

Judson Rowland: 6' 2"; Junior

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Junior

Branson Britten: 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Jason Henschel
: 5' 10"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Senior

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Senior

Dylan Lucas
: 5' 6"; Senior

Judson Rowland
: 6' 2"; Junior

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Junior

Branson Britten
: 6' 0"; Senior