MANHEIM, Pa. – Central Oklahoma lost its perch atop the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II rankings that were released Thursday, coming in at No. 2 in the final regular season poll.
The Bronchos had been No. 1 in the past two rankings but fell behind defending national champion Nebraska-Kearney despite owning two wins over the Lopers. UCO won 22-12 in the NWCA Division II National Duals finals and 21-18 in the regularly scheduled MIAA match.
UNK earned 90 points in the poll that awards points to the top 15 at each weight, with seven of its eight ranked individuals in the top six. The Bronchos finished with 77 points and have five of their eight ranked wrestlers in the top five.
Grand Valley State came in third with 69 points, followed by Pittsburgh-Johnstown (67.5) and Gannon (65).
Gabe Johnson leads UCO's ranked contingent as the No. 1 pick at 157 pounds. The two-time national champion is 15-0 on the season with 11 bonus-point wins.
Jason Henschel (133), Hunter Jump (174) and Garrett Wells (197) are all ranked third, while 184 Branson Britten is fifth, 141 Josh Taylor ninth, 125 Eli Kirk 12th and 165 Bryce Dauphin 12th.
The Bronchos finished the dual season 16-1 overall and 5-0 in MIAA action to extend their conference winning streak to 31 in a row in capturing a sixth straight league title. UCO won its final 15 duals after suffering a 27-11 loss to Division I Little Rock, scoring 30-plus points in 12 of 16 wins.
Central beat seven teams ranked in the top 16 in the final poll – No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney (22-12, 21-18), No. 3 Grand Valley State (30-21), No. 7 Augustana (28-12, 19-15), No. 10 McKendree (33-3), No. 12 Lander (30-6), No. 13 Central Missouri (37-7) and No. 16 Ashland (36-11).
The Bronchos now turn their attention to the postseason and will host one of six super regional tournaments that will be held around the country next week. The 11-team Super Regional IV Tournament is set for Sunday, March 1 at Hamilton Field House.
Thirty qualifiers from each regional – the top three at each of the 10 weights – qualify for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, set for March 13-14 in Sioux Falls, S.D.
