MANHEIM, Pa. – Ranked individuals in all 10 weight classes vaulted Central Oklahoma into the No. 1 spot in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II poll that was released Thursday.
The Bronchos earned 96.0 points in the poll that awards points to the top 15 at each weight. Defending national champion and MIAA rival Nebraska-Kearney is second with 72.5 points, followed by Wisconsin-Parkside (69.5), Gannon (56.5) and Pittsburgh-Johnstown (56).
UCO was 11th in the preseason rankings and seventh in the first regular-season poll before taking over the No. 1 position.
The Bronchos have two No. 1 individuals in 133 Jason Henschel and 157 Gabe Johnson, while 184 Branson Britten is second, 141 Josh Taylor third, 197 Garrett Wells fourth, 174 Hunter Jump sixth, 149 Cole Mayfield 11th, Hvy Judson Rowland 12th, 165 Bryce Dauphin 14th and 125 Guy Clevenger 15th.
Johnson, who has won two straight national championships, has been ranked first all season. Henschel went from fourth to No. 1 and Britten jumped from 14th to second after a title-winning effort at last week's Midwest Classic.
Wells and Rowland both moved up two spots from the last NWCA rankings, while Jump leaped from 14th to sixth. Taylor, Mayfield, Dauphin and Clevenger all made the debut appearance.
UCO, 4-1 on the season, finishes out the first semester schedule Friday with a 7 p.m. home dual against Maryville. The Saints fell out of the team rankings, but are the first team listed among those that received points.
