Bronchos Second In Final Mat Poll

UCO Has Seven of its Eight National Qualifiers Ranked in the Top 10

MANHEIM, Pa. – Central Oklahoma stayed at No. 2 in the final Division II rankings released by the National Wrestling Coaches Association Friday afternoon.

The Bronchos have seven of their eight national qualifiers ranked in the top 10, with five of those in the top six. The top eight at each weight reflect the seedings for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships that will be held March 13-14 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Gannon jumped from fifth to first in the poll after advancing nine to the national tournament, with all of them ranked in the top 10. The Knights finished with 93 points, followed by UCO (79), Nebraska-Kearney (75), Grand Valley State (64) and St. Cloud State (56).

The Bronchos will have two No. 1 seeds next week in 157-pounder Gabe Johnson and 174-pounder Hunter Jump. Jason Henschel is third at 133, while 125 Eli Kirk is fifth and 184 Branson Britten sixth.

Josh Taylor missed out on a top eight seed at 141, but came in ninth in the final rankings, and 165 Bryce Dauphin is ranked 10th. Bam West at 149 is UCO's other national qualifier.

Those three all drew tough first-round assignments in the brackets also released Friday. Taylor will meet second-seeded Jake Niffenegger of Gannon, while West has No. 3 Cody Thompson of Colorado School of Mines and Dauphin goes against No. 2 David Hunsberger of Lander.

Other opening-round matches for the Bronchos have Kirk vs. West Liberty's Logan Davis, Henschel vs. Minnesota State's Chase Beckett, Johnson vs. San Francisco State's Basil Othman, Jump vs. St. Cloud State's Bryce Dagal and Britten vs. Mount Olive's Jack Mackierman.

Central captured its sixth straight Super Regional IV crown last weekend in Edmond and will be searching for its 18th national championship. The Bronchos finished fifth last year after winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and '24.

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Players Mentioned

Bryce Dauphin: 5' 9"; Senior

Jason Henschel: 5' 10"; Senior

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Senior

Hunter Jump: 6' 2"; Senior

Eli Kirk: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Josh Taylor: 5' 7"; Junior

Bam West: 5' 7"; Junior

Branson Britten: 6' 0"; Senior

Players Mentioned

Bryce Dauphin
: 5' 9"; Senior

Jason Henschel
: 5' 10"; Senior

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Senior

Hunter Jump
: 6' 2"; Senior

Eli Kirk
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Josh Taylor
: 5' 7"; Junior

Bam West
: 5' 7"; Junior

Branson Britten
: 6' 0"; Senior