Mike Kirk
Competing in the consolation rounds of a national tournament is a difficult task, coming after individual national championship dreams have been dashed and the crowds are undoubtedly thinner.
But those wrestle-back matches often determine who will emerge with the team title and that was certainly the case in Cedar Rapids, Iowa last weekend when Central Oklahoma captured its first NCAA Division II championship since 2007.
The performance of individual winners Dalton Abney (197 pounds) and Shawn Streck (heavyweight) was obviously crucial, but there’s no question that UCO’s amazing success in the consolation rounds is what powered the Bronchos to their 16th title.
UCO had 22-6 record in the consolation rounds, including 13-5 on the final day when the Bronchos turned a precarious 6.5-point lead over Lander into a 43-point runaway….
