Central Oklahoma made a huge statement last weekend and showed the Division 2 wrestling world what the Bronchos are capable of by impressively winning the Midwest Classic. 

UCO placed all 10 wrestlers in the top six, with three wrestlers winning individual titles: Dylan Lucas (133), #1 Dalton Abney (197) and #2 Shawn Streck (285). The Bronchos racked up 178.5 points to finish 83.5 ahead of second-place Pitt-Johnstown. 

While the performances by Abney and Streck were expected, Lucas’s performance a bit of a surprise. Coming into the tournament unranked, Lucas pinned #3 Collin Metzgar (Colorado Mesa) and #6 Eric Bartos (Mercyhurst) in the first period and won a decisive 9-2 finals match against #5 Reece Barnhardt (Mary). In addition to an individual title, Lucas was also named the Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.  

The Battle Behind The Bronchos

Although UCO ran away with the tournament title, the battle for second place was fierce with Pitt-Johnstown edging out Lander and Colorado Mesa by fewer than 10 points. 

Pitt-Johnstown was led by All-American Jacob Ealy, the Mountain Cats’ only individual champion on the day, who won a tight semifinal match against defending national champion and top-ranked Josiah Rider (Adams State). Coach Pat Pecora attributes Ealy’s success to balance. 

“He is good on his feet, he’s good on top, he’s good on bottom,” Pecora said. “He is just a real complete wrestler.” 

Pitt-Johnstown had four other placewinners: Nate Smith (sixth at 157), Brock Biddle (fifth at 184), Dakoda Rodgers (eighth at 197) and Isaiah Vance (fourth at heavyweight). 

“It's a grueling, tough, tournament and the reason that we go to the Midwest Classic — to see how we fit in nationally.” Pecora said. “I was pleased with the second-place finish. I think it showed us two things — one was that, as a team, we can compete nationally, but it also showed us that to match Central Oklahoma and teams like that, we have a long way to go.” 

Finishing three points behind the Mountain Cats, the Lander University Bearcats had four individual placers led by an individual championship from #1 Zeth Brower at 141 pounds. Brower dominated the competition, posting a 5-0 record on the day with a win by fall over #5 Christian Small (Lake Erie) in the semifinals and a seven-point decision over #3 Peter Custer (Drury) in the finals. Lander coach R.C. LaHaye attributes Browers’ success to his work ethic and leadership in the room. 

“He is the hardest worker in the room, and the other guys just follow his example and it really raised the level of the whole program,” he said. 

Lander has been moving up in the rankings as the season progresses, moving from 12th in the preseason ranking to 5th on December 15th. Coach LaHaye has his team’s eyes set on a top-four finish at the NCAA Championships., 

“I think an NCAA team trophy in, really, only our third full season is a pretty lofty goal,” he said. “But I think it is realistic with this group.” 

Rounding out the top 4 at the Midwest Classic was a surprising Colorado Mesa University team that began the year ranked in the top 10 but due to injuries and sicknesses dropped in subsequent rankings to #24. 

“We’ve dealt with some illness and injuries in the front end of the season,” Maverick coach Mike Mendoza said, “and this was our first performance where we’re turning the corner.” 

The Mavericks were led on the day by the third-place finish of 2022 national runner-up Ryan Wheeler at 157 pounds. Wheeler, who was making just his second appearance of the year, has been battling illness for much of the 2023 season. 

“He was not able to train, and then you add maintaining weight into that, and he hasn’t felt his best yet,” Mendoza said. 

At the Midwest Classic, Wheeler knocked off #2 Nate Smith from Pitt-Johnstown, a win that announces his return to the national stage at 157. 

While the majority of top Division 2 wrestlers were competing in Indianapolis, the Chadron State team was unable to make the trip due to blizzard conditions. This left #9 Quade Smith (125 pounds) and #2 Quentrevion Campbell (133 pounds) out of the action. 

Kearney Edges Augustana in Dual Meet

Two top-10 teams that didn’t make the trip to the Midwest Classic met dual meet action as #1 the University of Nebraska-Kearney battled #10 Augustana. The Vikings were no match for Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers won seven of 10 matches including two by fall and another by forfeit. 

True freshman Joseph Airola has wasted no time in becoming an integral part of the Lopers’ lineup at 133 pounds. Nebraska-Kearney coach Dalton Jensen announced that the 133-pounder has burned his redshirt and he will be competing at the varsity level going forward. Airola has been competing at a high level at open tournaments, winning the Bob Smith Open and the Dakota Wesleyan University Open, where he knocked off #4 Caleb Meekins. 

The addition of Airola adds depth to an already loaded lineup that boasts five wrestlers in the top 10. Airola figures to give the Lopers a boost in what could be a tightly contested team race with St. Cloud State and Central Oklahoma.  

Looking Forward

As winter break approaches and the book closes on the first half of the season, many are hoping to take the break to heal and rest up before the second half of the season begins in earnest. 

On January 6-7, right out of winter break, the top D2 teams will be competing in Louisville, Kentucky at the NWCA National Duals. With Central Oklahoma, Nebraska-Kearney, and St. Cloud State all competing in the dual tournament we will learn a lot about these teams as they compete head-to-head.

Outside of the National Duals, there are also a few dual matches between top-ranked teams happening in the next couple of months, including: 

Jan. 11: #10 Augustana at #2 St. Cloud State

Jan. 21: Midwest Duals 

— #8 Adams State vs. #1 Nebraska-Kearney

— #3 Central Oklahoma vs. #19 Chadron State

— #15 Northern State vs. #1 Nebraska-Kearney

Jan. 26: #8 Adams State at #24 Colorado Mesa University 

Feb. 3: #8 Adams State at #4 Central Oklahoma

Feb. 10: #2 St. Cloud State at #16 Mary

Feb. 12: #1 Nebraska-Kearney at #4 Central Oklahoma