Wrestling 2/7/2025 10:06:00 PM

Bronchos Slip Past Nebraska-Kearney

No. 5 UCO Earns School-record 25th-straight Home Win With 19-12 Victory

EDMOND – Studd Morris and Hunter Jump prevailed in thrilling overtime matches to propel No. 5-ranked Central Oklahoma past No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney 19-12 Friday night before a boisterous Hamilton Field House crowd.

The Bronchos pulled out three other close decisions and also got a major decision from Gabe Johnson to secure their school-record 25th straight home win. UCO improved to 11-1 on the season and 4-0 in the MIAA with its 24th consecutive league victory, clinching at least a share of its fifth conference title in a row.

"That was a great dual," head coach Todd Steidley said. "I'm really proud of our guys for how hard they fought tonight. And hats off to our crowd, they were really into the match and gave us a big lift.

"There were a lot of tight matches that could have gone either way and fortunately we found a way to win the majority of those. Every match was a battle. It was a fun night with a great atmosphere."

Points were at a premium in the spirited showdown between the two NCAA Division II powerhouses, with six of the 10 bouts decided by identical 4-1 scores – including the first four matches of the night.

It started at 125 pounds where UCO's top-ranked Studd Morris edged No. 2 Zach Ourada. Regulation ended in a 1-1 tie after a video review negated an Ourada takedown late in the final period, with Morris powering his way to the winning takedown 38 seconds into the sudden victory period.

Sixth-ranked Peter Rolle gave the Bronchos a second straight 4-1 win at 133, securing the deciding takedown on the edge of the mat with 23 seconds remaining. The 4-1 streak continued at 141 in UNK's favor as ninth-ranked Joseph Ariola edged Josh Taylor behind a final-minute takedown.

Dylan Brown rode a first-period takedown to a 4-1 triumph at 149 and Johnson followed with a 10-0 major decision to push UCO's lead to 13-3. The second-ranked Johnson led just 1-0 entering the final period, but tacked on a pair of four-point near-falls and a riding time point to finish off the rout.

Jump pushed the cushion to 16-3 with yet another 4-1 verdict at 165. The 10th-ranked Jump and No. 6 Trenton Munoz traded escapes in regulation before Jump worked his way to the winning takedown on the edge of the mat with 43 seconds left in sudden victory.

Tucker Waitman dropped a tough 5-4 decision at 174, but Garrett Wells came through with a clutch 7-4 victory at 184 to clinch the dual. The 10th-rated Wells had a takedown in each of the first two periods in taking a 6-4 lead, added an escape early in the third and then held off No. 8 Jacari Deal's last-second takedown try.

The Lopers won the final two matches to arrange the final score. UCO's 13th-ranked Emmanuel Skillings fell to No. 5 Jackson Kinsella 4-1 on a takedown with 13 seconds left and Judson Rowland battled top-rated Crew Howard tough in a 4-0 setback at heavyweight.

The Bronchos finish the dual season next week. UCO travels to No. 21 Central Missouri Feb. 15 in the MIAA finale before returning home the next day to host New Mexico Highlands at 2 p.m.

UCO 19, Nebraska-Kearney 12
125 – Studd Morris, UCO, dec. Zach Ourada, 4-1 (SV).
133 – Peter Rolle, UCO, dec. Hector Serratos, 4-1.
141 – Joseph Airola, UNK, dec. Josh Taylor, 4-1.
149 – Dylan Brown, UCO, dec. Brady Collins, 4-1.
157 – Gabe Johnson, UCO, major dec. Cael Robb, 10-0.
165 – Hunter Jump, UCO, dec. Trenton Munoz, 4-1 (SV).
174 – Jacobi Deal, UNK, dec. Tucker Waitman, 5-4.
184 – Garrett Wells, UCO, dec. Jacari Deal, 7-4.
197 – Jackson Kinsella, UNK, dec. Emmanuel Skillings, 4-1.
Hvy – Crew Howard, UNK, dec. Judson Rowland, 4-0.

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Players Mentioned

Dylan Brown: 5' 6"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Junior

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Senior

Studd Morris: 5' 0"; Senior

Peter Rolle: 5' 7"; Senior

Emmanuel Skillings: 6' 1"; Junior

Josh Taylor: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Tucker Waitman: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

Garrett Wells: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Judson Rowland: Hvy; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dylan Brown
: 5' 6"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Junior

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Senior

Studd Morris
: 5' 0"; Senior

Peter Rolle
: 5' 7"; Senior

Emmanuel Skillings
: 6' 1"; Junior

Josh Taylor
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Tucker Waitman
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Freshman

Garrett Wells
: 5' 11"; Sophomore

Judson Rowland
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: Hvy