Central Oklahoma Bronchos Dominate Central Missouri in Wrestling, Securing MIAA Championship

EDMOND – The No. 1 Central Oklahoma Bronchos wrestling team delivered a commanding performance, defeating No. 14 Central Missouri 37-7 on Sunday afternoon at Hamilton Field House. The victory secured their sixth consecutive MIAA championship and extended their impressive winning streaks.

Bronchos’ Dominance on Display

UCO quickly established control with early wins, including a major decision by Eli Kirk at 125 pounds and a technical fall by Jason Henschel at 133 pounds. The Bronchos continued their momentum, securing four more bonus wins throughout the dual meet.

Record-Breaking Season

With this win, UCO concluded the dual season with a 16-1 record, marking their 15th consecutive victory. They similarly extended their school-record home winning streak to 33 consecutive matches. The Bronchos have now won 31 straight league matches and hold a perfect 48-0 record against Central Missouri.

Key Performances

Several Bronchos wrestlers delivered standout performances. Hunter Jump (174) and Garrett Wells (197) each secured falls, while Gabe Johnson (157) and Branson Britten (184) added technical falls. Josh Taylor (141) and Ryan Nichols (Hvy) also contributed wins to the Bronchos’ dominant showing.

Coach Steidley Praises Team Effort

Head coach Todd Steidley emphasized the team’s collective effort, stating, “I’m just proud of all guys and not just the starters. It takes a team to win any kind of title. Our coaching staff did an excellent job. The assistants had the guys dialed in and we wrestled well.” He also highlighted the strong support from fans and alumni, calling it “a great day for Broncho wrestling.”

Match Highlights

• 125: Eli Kirk (UCO) defeated Karim Allal (UCM) by major decision, 17-4.
• 133: Jason Henschel (UCO) defeated Drew Standfield (UCM) by technical fall, 18-0 (6:32).
• 141: Josh Taylor (UCO) defeated James Wright (UCM) by decision, 8-1.
• 149: Trey Dillow (UCM) defeated Cole Mayfield (UCO) by decision, 7-2.
• 157: Gabe Johnson (UCO) defeated Ayden Dolt (UCM) by technical fall, 18-3 (7:00).
• 165: Gage Bernall (UCM) defeated Bryce Dauphin (UCO) by major decision, 11-2.
• 174: Hunter Jump (UCO) pinned Anthony Erickson (UCM), 5:58.
• 184: Branson Britten (UCO) defeated Ayden Flores (UCM) by technical fall, 15-0 (3:55).
• 197: Garrett Wells (UCO) pinned Trey Brewer (UCM), 2:20.
• Hvy: Ryan Nichols (UCO) defeated Torin Forsyth (UCM) by decision, 4-2.

Looking Ahead

The Bronchos will host the NCAA Division II Super Regional IV Tournament on Sunday, March 1, at Hamilton Field House. The top three finishers at each weight class will advance to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, scheduled for March 13-14 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Honoring the Past

During halftime of the dual meet, UCO honored its 1985-86 national championship team, recognizing all six All-Americans – Joe Starzenski, Billy Reid, Stoney Wright, Kevin Freeman, Howard Seay and Jack O’Connor – along with head coach David James.