This and That

The UCO spring sports season is in full bloom, even if the weather isn't.

But before we bid goodbye to winter - which is tough to do when it snows on March 20! - we must first offer congrats to four recent All-Americans. Dauntae Williams earned the distinction for men's basketball, while Dustin Finn, Cody Rowell and Scott Berens did the same in wrestling.

Williams put together one of the finest all-around seasons I've seen in 20-plus years at UCO and was a pleasure to watch. From jumping center to running the Bronchos' potent offense, Dauntae could virtually do it all and he should contend for Division II Player of the Year honors as a senior next season.

Finn capped an amazing grappling career with a third-place finish in the national tournament as he became UCO's first-ever three-time heavyweight All-American. And that's saying something with our school's tremendous wrestling legacy. Hats off to Dustin for a fabulous career.

Berens and Rowell both finished their careers with All-America finishes, Scott doing so for the second straight time and Cody for the first as he ended his five-year stay at UCO on a high note.

Congrats, also, to both basketball teams for making it to the national tournament once again, third straight year for both clubs to qualify for the Division II dance. Wrestling came in an uncharacteristic 15th in the national tournament, but look for the Bronchos to bounce back quickly.

Our spring sports are already well into their seasons, with baseball having played 22 games and softball 24. Both sports have big weekends coming up in Durant, with baseball taking on Southeastern Oklahoma for a four-game league season while softball plays six games in the LSC Crossover Tournament.

Women's tennis is currently on a roll, having won nine straight matches after a season-opening defeat to Division I Oklahoma State and both golf programs have played in two tournaments. Erica Bensch led the Broncho women in their last outing by winning her first collegiate title.

The women's track program is scheduled to start its season this weekend as UCO resumes that sport after an eighth-year hiatus, while the rowing team goes to San Diego for its second week of competition.