Four UCO Wrestlers Named Academic All-American

Gabe Johnson, Bam West, Easton Taylor and Gabe Maki Selected to Elite Squad

MANHEIM, Pa. - National champion Gabe Johnson and three other Central Oklahoma wrestlers were recently named to the NCAA Division II Men's Scholar All-America Team by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

Joining Johnson on the elite list were Easton Taylor, Gabe Maki and Bam West.

Student-athletes had to meet one of three criteria to earn the award – All-American at the 2026 national tournament with a 3.0 grade point average, national qualifier with a 3.25 GPA or competed in at least four events this season with a 3.5 GPA.

Johnson captured his third straight 157-pound national championship in capping a perfect 23-0 season. A senior business administration graduate working on his master's degree, Johnson was named Division II Wrestler of the Year by the NWCA two weeks ago.

West was a national tournament qualifier at 149 pounds for the Bronchos. A junior psychology major from Mustang, he advanced to nationals behind a clutch third-place finish in the Super Regional IV Tournament.

A junior kinesiology major from Manhattan, Kansas, Taylor went 14-1 with 10 bonus-point wins as the top backup at 133. He won two open tournament titles and finished third in another.

Make, a junior nursing major from Andover, Kansas, was a backup at 149 this season.

UCO enjoyed a fantastic 2025-26 season, going 16-1 in duals while winning the NWCA Division II National Duals title and its sixth straight MIAA championship. The Bronchos also captured their sixth consecutive Super Regional IV crown before finishing fourth in the national tournament.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Gabe Johnson: 5' 8"; Senior

Gabe Maki: 5' 9"; Junior

Easton Taylor: 5' 5"; Junior

Bam West: 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Gabe Johnson
: 5' 8"; Senior

Gabe Maki
: 5' 9"; Junior

Easton Taylor
: 5' 5"; Junior

Bam West
: 5' 7"; Junior