New-look Bronchos Ready for 2026-27 Season

Expectations Remain the Same for 19th-ranked UCO

A new-look Central Oklahoma squad will be out to prove it still belongs among the NCAA Division II elite in 2026-27.

The Bronchos return just one All-American, one national qualifier and two other starters from last year's squad that went 16-1 in duals and finished fourth nationally. There will be new and unproven starters throughout the lineup, but head coach Todd Steidley has the utmost confidence in his team.

"We're not rebuilding," said Steidley, who has a 130-14 dual record entering his 11th year at the helm. "We're reloading in our minds. We have guys with the ability to get on the podium and compete for national titles. The expectation of our program is to compete for national championships, individually and as a team, and that hasn't changed.

"We have a lot of guys who have been here for a year or two that we know about, but nobody else does. We're young and not proven, but there's a lot of talent in the room."

The Bronchos open the 2026-27 season this weekend, sending a large group of back-ups to the Viking Open in Poteau, Okla. Saturday before making their dual debut Sunday at home against New Mexico Highlands.

Leading UCO's returners is junior Eli Kirk, who earned All-America honors last year with a fourth-place finish at 125 pounds. He's scheduled to move up to 133 this season and will be a top national title contender there.

Senior Garrett Wells is back for his fourth year of starting duty and returns at 197. He was an All-American at 184 in 2024 and 2025 before just missing the national tournament last year.

Bam West was a national qualifier at 149 last season and the senior is back at that weight, though injury may keep him out of the lineup early. Junior Ryan Nichols also returns after starting most of last season at heavyweight.

Most of UCO's expected starters picked up loads of valuable experience in back-up and part-time starting roles last year. A pair of Division I transfers and some gifted freshmen will also be in the mix for starting roles.

"We've been fortunate the last few years to have a lot of experienced guys and it's going to be different this year," said Steidley, whose team was ranked 19th in the preseason Division II poll. "It's exciting for us, exciting to watch them develop. They're young and excited to wrestle.

"We didn't have a lot of ranking matches last year and may have some every week this year. Our guys are excited. Everyone knows they have a chance and that makes them work harder. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of team we can become."

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

125 POUNDS

A senior veteran and inexperienced redshirt freshman are set to battle it out for the starting nod at the top of the lineup.

Guy Clevenger has seen plenty of starting duty the past three years and enters his final campaign with a 50-16 career record. He may rate as the slight favorite because of his experience, but athletic rookie Devin Miller has the ability to win the spot.

The Bronchos will be in good shape whoever ends up on top. Kirk is set to be at 133 but could move down if needed.

133 POUNDS

Kirk will fill the starting role here and should be a prime national championship contender.

Kirk is moving up a weight after going 16-3 with 12 bonus-point wins last season in finishing fourth at 125 to earn All-America honors. He went 5-2 with five bonus wins at the national tournament.

Kirk had a 20-4 record as a part-time starter at 133 two years ago and should continue to shine in his return to the weight. He could also go back down to 125 if needed.

The Bronchos have good depth here. Sophomore letterman Canon Acklin went 16-4 in a back-up role at 141 last year and will certainly push Kirk, while freshmen Chance Fisher and Jake Kershaw are talented freshman.

141 POUNDS

Senior Easton Taylor would probably rank as the slight favorite here if not for an injury that may prevent him from competing early in the season.

A two-time junior college national runner-up, Taylor is moving up a weight after going 14-1 with 10 bonus wins backing up an All-American at 133 last year. Taylor is eager to make the most of his final season, though he could also return to 133 if necessary.

Oklahoma transfer Hunter Hollingsworth is solidly in the mix after seeing extensive starting time for the Sooners at 149 last year and the talented sophomore is looking to make his mark.

Sophomore letterman Gabe Maki can't be counted out, with senior letterman Shaun Muse, junior Jaxon Koeltzow and scrappy freshman Trenton Bell also available.

149 POUNDS

The Bronchos have a returning national qualifier here in West, though he's expected to miss the early part of the season to injury.

West has gained plenty of experience during his career, which has been hampered by a variety of injuries. He had a clutch third-place regional finish last year to make it to nationals, winning three straight consolation matches.

Redshirt freshman Cole Mayfield is capable of taking over the starting role after dropping down from 157. He went 21-6, placed in the rugged Midwest Classic and was named MIAA Freshman of the Year last season while redshirting.

Sophomore Hunter Hollingsworth started at this weight for OU last year and could fit in here if he doesn't earn the top spot at 141.

UCO gets additional depth from senior Gabe Maki and sophomore Kasen Miller, who Steidley called one of the most improved wrestlers in the room.

157 POUNDS

Another weight with multiple possibilities.

Redshirt freshman Cole Mayfield was favored to take over here after showing what he's capable of last year but is expected to move down to 149.

That makes the weight more open and sophomore transfer Landyn Sommer looks set to step into the starting role. Sommer spent two years at Oklahoma, seeing some starting time last season.

Redshirt freshman Hayze Ivey gained valuable experience last year and will force the issue, while freshman Garon Kaiser has shown he can't be overlooked. Redshirt freshman Dylan Bratt could also be a factor.

165 POUNDS

Sophomore Brady Benham is expected to take over as the starter here, though he will face several challengers.

Benham went 6-2 in limited action last year after transferring from Iowa and showed he has the ability to be a factor on the national stage.

Sophomore Cade Gilbert is another Division I transfer capable of big things, while redshirt freshman Brantz Bateman is a talented youngster eager to make his mark.

174 POUNDS

Junior Cameron Johnson is ready to take over the top spot after seeing extensive action at 184 last year.

Johnson went 17-6 with 11 bonus wins in his first year with the Bronchos and is fully capable of being a prime point-producer for the Bronchos.

Redshirt freshman Cooper Zickefoose was injured most of last year but showed great promise in limited action and should push Johnson. Additional depth comes from sophomore Cameron Braswell and rookie Matthew Mann.

184 POUNDS

UCO is excited about junior Tucker Waitman stepping into a starting role, but a lack of depth is a concern.

Waitman battled injury problems last year in seeing little time on the mat, though the Bronchos know what he can do and are excited to see him in a full-time capacity.

But Waitman is the only 184-pounder on the roster, so any help here would have to come from 174.

197 POUNDS

The Bronchos are in great shape here with the return of senior standout Wells, who has 75 career wins to his credit.

A two-time regional champion and twice an All-American at 184, Wells moved up a weight last season and went 21-4. He was ranked in the top six all year before suffering a pair of upsets in finishing fourth at the regional to just miss out on qualifying for nationals.

Wells is determined to make up for that in his final season and will be a legitimate national championship contender.

Nichols is the returning starter at heavyweight, but he figures to also see time here. Redshirt freshman Jackson Blackburn and rookie Haydan Yocham provide more depth.

HEAVYWEIGHT

UCO has two returning big men who have seen starting duty in Nichols and senior Paul Sharp.

Nichols started most of last year and placed sixth in the regional tournament, while Sharp went 12-4 with a few starts in a back-up role. The two will battle it out for the top spot, with Nichols also set to see time at 197.

Senior transfer Kadence Baker adds depth.

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Players Mentioned

Cameron Braswell: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

Guy Clevenger: 5' 4"; Junior

Eli Kirk: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jaxon Koeltzow: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Gabe Maki: 5' 9"; Junior

Kasen Miller: 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman

Shaun Muse: 5' 6"; Junior

Paul Sharp: 6' 3"; Junior

Easton Taylor: 5' 5"; Junior

Tucker Waitman: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Cameron Braswell
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

Guy Clevenger
: 5' 4"; Junior

Eli Kirk
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Jaxon Koeltzow
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Gabe Maki
: 5' 9"; Junior

Kasen Miller
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Freshman

Shaun Muse
: 5' 6"; Junior

Paul Sharp
: 6' 3"; Junior

Easton Taylor
: 5' 5"; Junior

Tucker Waitman
: 5' 10"; Sophomore