Mike Kirk
No. 3-ranked Central Oklahoma wraps up the first-semester schedule this weekend when the Bronchos trek to Indianapolis, Ind. for the 43rd Midwest Classic.
First-round action begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Nicoson Hall and runs all day. The two-day tournament hosted by UIndy resumes at 8:30 a.m. Sunday and concludes with the finals at 2 p.m.
UCO is the highest of 17 ranked NCAA Division II teams in the huge 46-team field.
Other ranked squads in the event are No. T4 Indy, No. T4 Lander, No. 6 Pittsburgh-Johnstown, No. T9 Central Missouri, No. T9 Gannon, No. 11 Wisconsin-Parkside, No. 12 Glenville State, No. T13 McKendree, No. T13 Adams State, No. 16 Western Colorado, No. 17 Ashland, No. 18 Mercyhurst, No. 19 Lake Erie, No. 20 Northern State, No. 22 Mary and No. 23 Southwest Minnesota.
“There are a lot of really good teams in this tournament and it will certainly test us,” head coach Todd Steidley said. “Our guys are going to have to be ready to compete for seven minutes every time they step on the mat.
“We’ve made strides since the start of the season, but there’s so much work we need to do to get where we want to be. This tournament will be a great gage for us and I’m looking forward to seeing how our guys react.”
