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University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

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2021-22 Wrestling Roster

Heath Gray

  • Height 5-11
  • Weight 184
  • Class Senior
  • Hometown Chandler, Okla.
  • Highschool Chandler

Biography

Defending national champion and senior star who ranks as one of the best 184-pounders in the country, regardless of division … Intense competitor with unmatched work ethic and has all the tools needed to succeed on the mat … Owns a variety of takedown moves and equally as dangerous when in control on the mat … Is constantly on the attack and overpowers opponents with aggressive style … Has been nearly unbeatable throughout sensational three-year career and enters final season looking to add to his legacy as one of the best in UCO’s storied history … Has racked up an amazing 78-3 career record (school-record 96.3 winning percentage) with incredible 51 bonus-point wins and is riding a 41-match winning streak … Has 26 major decisions, 18 technical falls and seven pins … Elected to return for a second senior season after the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to those who competed in last year’s COVID-shortened campaign … Started career at Division II rival Newman in 2015-16 and then sat out the next year before coming to UCO and redshirting.

2020-21: Held the No. 1 ranking all year and completed perfect 13-0 season by capturing the national championship … Finished with nine bonus wins (four technical falls, four major decisions, one pin) and didn’t allow an offensive point … Had bonus wins in every dual, then picked up 17-2 technical fall and 13-2 major decision in first two Super Regional IV Tournament matches before winning third regional title with 4-1 triumph … Cruised into national finals with three easy wins (12-3, 7-3, 8-1) before edging defending 174-pound national champion Connor Craig of West Liberty 3-2 for the title.

2019-20: Was virtually unstoppable all season and held No. 1 ranking entering the NCAA Division II Championships before title hopes were dashed when tournament was canceled by the coronavirus pandemic … Named an All-American and the Division II Wrestler of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association … Finished 29-1 with an amazing 21 bonus wins (12 major decisions, six technical falls, three pins) … Only loss came to Oklahoma State All-American Dakota Geer in first round of the Oklahoma City Open and followed that by winning final 28 matches of the season … Responded to Geer loss with four straight bonus wins in taking third at OCU Open … Breezed to title at Lindenwood Open and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the prestigious Midwest Classic after going 5-0 with three major decisions, a technical fall and pin … Claimed Regional IV Tournament crown with three wins, including tough 3-1 finals victory … Reeled off eight straight bonus wins during one stretch … Had key first-period fall in UCO’s come-from-behind 24-17 win over Nebraska-Kearney that gave Bronchos the MIAA dual title … Led the team in takedowns (67) and scored 10-plus points in 21 matches … Earned Region IV Wrestler of the Year honors.

2018-19: Enjoyed dominating season in finishing with 36-2 record that included 21 bonus wins – 10 major decisions, eight technical falls and three falls … Won titles at the Oklahoma City Open, Nebraska-Kearney Open and Regional IV Tournament while finishing runner-up at the Midwest Classic and third in the Division II national tournament … Started season 15-0 before falling to McKendree’s Michael Pixley in Midwest Classic finals … Beat Pixley – the eventual national champion – in a dual and the Regional IV Tournament finals during 19-match winning streak that ended in semifinals of the national tournament … Lost 3-2 decision to Notre Dame’s Tony Vezzetti at nationals, but rebounded with 12-2 and 8-2 wins in finishing third to earn All-America honors …Led the team in takedowns (110) and near-falls (39) … Scored at least 10 points in 23 matches.

2017-18: Captured two open tournaments and finished runner-up in another in going 14-1 with six bonus-point wins during redshirt year ... Went 5-0 in winning both the Oklahoma City and Nebraska-Kearney opens, then won first four matches at Fort Hays State Open before falling in finals to eventual national champion Noel Torres of Newman.

Newman: Earned starting berth at 174 as a true freshman for the Jets and put together a solid season in finishing 25-13 . . . Had 12 bonus-point wins with team-high six major decisions, four falls and two technical falls . . . Placed sixth in the NCAA Division II West Regional.

High School: State champion at Chandler High School, ending career with stellar 108-10 record.

Personal: Has one degree (industrial safety) and is in line to earn another (finance) in December . . . Birthdate is March 11, 1996.

Historical Player Information

  • 2017-18Sophomore

    5'11" 184 lbs

  • 2018-19Sophomore

    5'11" 184 lbs

  • 2019-20Junior

    5'11" 184 lbs

  • 2020-21Senior

    5'11" 184 lbs

  • 2021-22Senior

    5'11" 184 lbs
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