Short-handed Central Oklahoma closes out its first-semester road schedule this weekend when the Bronchos trek to Indianapolis, Indiana for the 46th Midwest Classic.
UCO will be without four starters in the biggest Division II tournament of the regular season that features 47 teams, including 19 ranked in the top 25 by the NWCA. First-round action begins at 9 a.m. (Central time) Saturday at Nicoson Hall on the University of Indianapolis campus.
UCO is No. 7 in the NWCA poll, though the Bronchos are No 1 in the latest Open Mat rankings. Other top teams in the field, with NWCA rankings listed first, are: Lander (2nd/5th), Tiffin (3rd, 7th), Wisconsin-Parkside (4th/7th), Gannon (5th, 4th), Pittsburgh-Johnstown (8th/3rd), Glenville State (12th/10th) and McKendree (11th/ 6th).
“It’s a grueling tournament that really tests you, both mentally and physically,” head coach Todd Steidley said. “We’ll see a lot of great teams and individuals that we don’t normally get to compete against, so we’re looking forward to that.
“We’ve got some guys banged up, but thankfully we have pretty good depth. It will be a great opportunity for some other guys to step in and I’m excited to see what they can do.”
UCO has had four straight top-four finishes in the Midwest Classic. The Bronchos won back-to-back titles in 2021 and ‘22 — setting a tournament scoring record with 178.5 points in 2022 – before coming in third in 2023 and second last year.
Central follows its trip to Indianapolis with the final dual of the first semester next Friday, Dec. 19, with a 7 p.m. home contest against Maryville.
UCO LINEUP: Here’s a look at UCO’s probable lineup for this weekend’s Midwest Classic.
125 – Guy Clevenger, Jr. (4-1); 133 – Easton Taylor, Jr. (9-1); 141 – Shaun Muse, Jr. (2-1); 149 – Cole Mayfield, Fr. (11-1); 157 – Hayze Ivey, Fr. ); 165 – Bryce Dauphin, Sr. (2-3); 174 – Hunter Jump, Sr. (3-2); 184 – Branson Britten, Sr. (4-1); 197 – Garrett Wells, Jr. (5-0); Hvy – Judson Rowland, Jr. (2-0).
ABOUT THE BRONCHOS: UCO will be without four starters this weekend. Junior Easton Taylor will fill in for Jason Henschel at 133 pounds, while junior Shaun Muse will step in for Josh Taylor at 141, freshman Cole Mayfield for Bam West at 149 and rookie Hayze Ivey for Gabe Johnson at 157
Taylor was a two-time national runner-up in junior college before redshirting with UCO last year. He’s 9-1 with seven bonus-point wins in two open tournaments this year.
Muse has seen part-time starting duty throughout his career and is 2-1 this season. Mayfield is 11-1 with seven bonus wins in two open tournaments, while Ivey is 8-0 in winning two open tournaments.
Two-time national champion Johnson is ranked No. 1 by the NWCA and Open Mat. Henschel is ranked fourth nationally by the NWCA and first by Open Mat, while Taylor is No. 8 and West 19th in the Open Mat ratings.
The Bronchos have five other ranked individuals. Guy Clevenger is ranked sixth by Open Mat, while 174 Hunter Jump is 14th by both, 184 Branson Britten 14th (NWCA) and fifth (Open Mat), 197 Garrett Wells sixth (NWCA) and third (Open Mat) and Hvy Judson Rowland 14th (NWCA) and 18th (Open Mat).
Henschel, Johnson and Wells are all 5-0 on the season to lead UCO’s starting contingent.
Henschel owns wins over two Division II opponents ranked in the top seven and has three bonus victories in his 5-0 start.
Johnson has also recorded three bonus wins, giving him 50 for his sensational career. The three-time All-American has won 46 of his last 47 matches – including 18 in a row – and is 96-16 for his career.
Wells also has three bonus wins this season. The two-time All-American is 59-17 for his career with 32 bonus wins and has placed first and third in two appearances in the Midwest Classic.
Clevenger and Britten are both 4-1. Clevenger has three bonus wins and Britten a pair of technical falls.
Short-handed Central Oklahoma closes out its first-semester road schedule
