EDMOND – No. 19 Central Oklahoma puts a pair of lengthy winning streaks on the line Sunday when the Bronchos host No. 16 Augustana for a 2 p.m. showdown at Hamilton Field House.
UCO opened the season last Sunday with a 41-3 trouncing of New Mexico Highlands to run its school-record home winning steak to 34 straight. It was also the 16th straight win dating back to early last season for the Bronchos.
The Vikings from Sioux Falls, South Dakota will be making their dual debut.
"Augustana has a really strong team and this will be a tough test for us," head coach Todd Steidley said. "They're a well coached, physical team. We'll have to wrestle extremely well, but these are the type duals we want."
Central owns a 9-2 lead in the the series with the Vikings.
The Bronchos got off to an impressive start against Highlands last week, winning nine of 10 weights with seven bonus-point wins in the rout of New Mexico Highlands.
Cole Mayfield (149 pounds), Ryan Nichols (197) and Paul Sharp (Hvy) registered falls in the lopsided win, while 141 Hunter Hollingsworth scored a 17-2 technical fall. The Bronchos also got major decisions from 133 Canon Acklin, 157 Landyn Sommer and 174 Cameron Johnson.
The Bronchos sent 10 individuals to the Viking Open in Poteau, Oklahoma last weekend, crowning three champions in 141 Adam Maki, 157 Hayze Ivey and 165 Brantz Bateman to go along with four other top-four placers.
UCO has three ranked individuals – Eli Kirk (third at 125), Easton Taylor (15th at 133) and Garrett Wells (ninth at 197). Kirk is moving up to 133 and is scheduled to make his debut Sunday, while Wells could also see his first action.
Augustana has five individuals listed in the top 15 at their respective weight – 141 Luke Koenen (15th), 149 Nolan Ambrose (eighth), 165 Payton Handeviot (14th), 174 Coy Gunderson (fourth) and 184 Charlie Petit (sixth). Gunderson and Petit are returning national qualifiers.
The Vikings got titles from Ambrose, Gunderson, 133 Creighton Lassen, 157 Kaden Nicholas and 197 Owen Wasley at the season-opening Dakota Wesleyan Open last weekend.
This will be Central's last dual until the Bronchos go to Wichita, Kansas Dec. 3 to open the MIAA schedule against Newman. UCO will send a large group of individuals to Kearney, Nebraska Nov. 21 for the Younes Hospitality Open.
Here's a look at UCO's probable lineup for Sunday along with four extra matches that will be held before the 2 p.m. dual.
UCO Lineup
125 – Devon Miller, RFr. (1-0)
133 – Eli Kirk, Jr. (0-0)
141 – Hunter Hollingsworth, So. (1-0)
149 – Cole Mayfield, RFr. (1-0)
157 – Landyn Sommer, So. (1-0)
165 – Brady Benham, So. (0-1)
174 – Cameron Johnson, Jr. (1-0)
184 – Cooper Zickefoose, RFr. (1-0)
197 – Ryan Nichols, Jr. (1-0) or Garrett Wells, Sr. (0-0)
Hvy – Paul Sharp, Sr. (1-0)
Extra Matches
141 – Easton Taylor, Sr. (0-0)
149 – Trenton Bell, Fr. (4-2)
157 – Hayze Ivey, RFr. (5-0)
165 – Brantz Bateman, RFr. (5-0)
