UCO Sports
Chris Brannick, Director of Sports Media Relations
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Central Oklahoma hadn’t wrestled in 20 days when it took to the mat against MIAA foe Central Missouri Sunday, but the No. 8 Bronchos didn’t show any signs of rust as they whipped the Mules 37-6 in their first conference dual of the season.
The Bronchos (8-0, 1-0) have now won 15-straight duals dating back to last season.
“That’s a good way to start the second semester,” UCO head coach Todd Steidley said. “To come back from the break like that is nice.”
The Bronchos Sunday wasted no time exuding their dominance on the mat. Josh Lindsey got the dual started at 125 pounds against Erick Vargas. Lindsey, ranked fourth in the country in his weight class, pinned Vargas in 2:15 to give the Bronchos an early 6-0 lead.
At 133 pounds, Blake Dauphin won by decision over John Feeney to make it 9-0. Dauphin built an early lead with a first period takedown and four-point nearfall. He went on to win 10-7.
Josh Ailey was up at 141 pounds against Brad Irwin and won easily 9-2. Irwin managed just two escapes against Ailey in the match. The Bronchos were up 12-0 after four matches.
Will Steltzlen and Bryan Dutton also picked up decisions at 149 pounds and 157 pounds respectively. Steltzlen edged Zach Schridde 9-6, and Dutton beat Steffon Fassett 8-3.
Central Missouri picked up its only points of the day at 165 pounds. Jesse Reser pinned Danny Carrillo to make it 18-6, Bronchos. Central Missouri had to forfeit the 174-pound match though, and UCO got six points right back.
Caleb Hawes used a late comeback to pick up a 7-6 decision at 184 pounds. Hawes needed an escape and a takedown in the third period to get the win and put UCO up 27-6.
Greg Wilson earned UCO’s biggest win of the day at 197 pounds. Wilson, who is ranked seventh in the country at 197, beat Grant Sparks 15-2 for the major decision and put the Bronchos up 32-6.
At heavyweight, UCO start Kyle Factor in place of the injured Caleb Cotter. Factor was ranked tenth in the country in the preseason, but while dealing with an injury, Cotter became the regular starter and dominated. Cotter is the third-ranked heavyweight in the country.
But Sunday was Factor’s turn, and he reminded folks why he was a top choice heading into the 2016-17 season.
Factor pinned Central Missouri’s Chase Miller in 1:28 to finish the match the way the Bronchos started it, with a pin.
UCO returns home for a dual with Oklahoma City University on Wednesday, Jan. 11. The Bronchos host the Stars in Hamilton Field House at 7 p.m.
Sunday’s Results
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 38
CENTRAL MISSOURI 6
125: Josh Lindsey, UCO, pinned Erick Vargas, 2:15
133: Blake Dauphin, UCO, dec. John Feeney, 10-7
141: Josh Ailey, UCO, dec. Brad Irwin, 9-2
149: Will Steltzlen, UCO, dec. Zach Schridde, 9-6
157: Bryan Dutton, UCO, dec. Steffon Fassett, 8-3
165: Jesse Reser, UCM, pinned Danny Carrillo, :43
174: Miguel Barreras, UCO, by forfeit
184: Caleb Hawes, UCO, dec. Allan Person, 7-6
197: Greg Wilson, UCO, major dec. Grant Sparks, 15-2
Hvy: Kyle Factor, UCO, pinned Chase Miller, 1:28