KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma dominated the All-MIAA Wrestling Team that was released by the league office Thursday, including a sweep of the three major awards handed out.
Todd Steidley was named MIAA Coach of the Year for the fifth time, while 157-pounder Gabe Johnson earned MIAA Wrestler of the Year honors and 149-pounder Cole Mayfield claimed MIAA Freshman of the Year accolades.
The No. 2-ranked Bronchos had seven All-MIAA selections. Joining Johnson on the First Team were 133 Jason Henschel, 174 Hunter Jump and 197 Garrett Wells, while 125 Guy Clevenger, 141 Josh Taylor and Hvy Ryan Nichols were Second Team picks.
UCO finished the dual season 16-1 overall and went 5-0 in the league to capture its sixth straight conference title. The Bronchos have won 31 straight MIAA duals.
“We had a great dual season and that’s a reflection on our team and assistant coaches,” said Steidley, who is now 130-14 in his 10th year at the helm. “Our guys have worked hard all year and that includes everybody in the room. It takes an entire team and not just the 10 guys who line up on a particular day.”
Johnson has overwhelmed the competition this season. The senior from Choctaw is 15-0 with 11 bonus-point wins and has won 56 of his last 57 matches, including 28 in a row.
A three-time All-American and two-time national champion, Johnson is ranked No. 1 again this season.
Mayfield is 21-6 on the season with 12 bonus wins. The rookie from Sallisaw has placed in five tournaments, including a fourth-place showing in the prestigious Midwest Classic in December.
Henschel, Jump and Wells are all ranked third nationally. Henschel is 15-1 while Jump is 18-4 and Wells 18-2.
UCO begins its postseason push Sunday when the Bronchos host the 11-team NCAA Division II Super Regional IV Championships at Hamilton Field House. First-round action gets underway at 10 a.m.
ALL-MIAA WRESTLING TEAM
125 Pounds
Karim Allal, UCM – 1st
Guy Clevenger, UCO – 2nd
133 Pounds
Jason Henschel, UCO – 1st
Zach Ourada, UNK – 2nd
141 Pounds
Joseph Ariola, UNK – 1st
Josh Taylor, UCO – 2nd
149 Pounds
Trey Dillow, UCM – 1st
Daniel DeRosier, UNK – 2nd
157 Pounds
Gabe Johnson, UCO – 1st
Cael Robb, UNK – 2nd
165 Pounds
Trent Munoz, UNK – 1st
Gage Bernall, UCM – 2nd
174 Pounds
Hunter Jump, UCO – 1st
Otgonbayar Batsuuri, UNK – 2nd
184 Pounds
Damon Ashworth, UCM – 1st
Kaden Hart, UNK – 2nd
197 Pounds
Garrett Wells, UCO – 1st
Jackson Kinsella, UNK – 2nd
Heavyweight
Crew Howard, UNK – 1st
Ryan Nichols, UCO – 2nd
