You meet a lot of different people in the sports world, especially when you’ve been involved with it for 30-plus years like I have. Some good, some bad, some in-between.
Bob Hersom is definitely on the good list. And it’s always especially sad to see the good ones leave us, as Bob did Monday afternoon when the former Oklahoman sports writer succumbed to liver disease.
I met Bob in the mid-1980s while working as a sports writer at the Lawton Constitution and had off-and-on contact with him during my four-year tenure there before coming to UCO in 1987.
He covered many of our teams and events over the years, especially during a stretch as the newspaper’s college wrestling writer. Bob didn’t exactly know a lot about wrestling, but he dove into his new assignment with his typical gusto and went on the road to cover the national tournament with us one year.
Bob went on to staff several UCO football games and would occasionally call or email to check in with me even when he wasn’t covering the Bronchos. He was always the consummate professional when we were talking about work and a truly interested friend when talking about family or other subjects.
The world needs more people like Bob Hersom.
So long, Bob. Thanks for being my friend.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Playing as an NCAA Division II independent in 2010-11 will create plenty of challenges for the majority of Central Oklahoma’s teams, particularly in regards to scheduling.
The Bronchos have completed their 20-plus year association with the Lone Star Conference and don’t join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association until the start of the 2011-12 academic year, so this is a year of transition for UCO.
Obviously, the most difficult item to deal with this year is finding teams to play since there is no built-in conference schedule.
A look at UCO’s football slate shows just how tough it was.
The Bronchos managed to come up with an 11-game schedule -- including five at Wantland Stadium -- but six of the first seven games are on the road, including the opening four.
Long-time state rivals East Central, Southeastern Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma are back. Former LSC foe Angelo State is there along with future MIAA opponents Fort Hays State and Washburn.
But UCO will also face four teams for the first time ever, traveling to long-time Division II power North Alabama and Football Championship Subdivision member Cal Poly in addition to hosting Division II newcomers Black Hills State and Lindenwood.
It’s an interesting schedule and also a very tough one that will definitely require the Bronchos to play at a high level, starting right off the bat with a trip to North Alabama.
Soccer and volleyball will also have limited home contests this fall, though those sports didn’t have as tough a time filling their schedules.
Soccer will play eight of its 18 games at Tom Thompson Field, with the twist being that the Bronchos will play three teams – ECU, SWOSU and Northeastern State – twice, once at home and once away.
Volleyball will also have home-and-home matches with three schools (ECU, SWOSU and SOSU), but UCO’s 33-match schedule will actually include more contests at Hamilton Field House this year (10) than last (eight).
The men's and women's basketball schedules aren't official, but it appears each will have at most seven home games and both teams are set to play NSU and Lindenwood four times apiece.
It remains to be seen what UCO's other schedules will look like.
Such are the hazards of playing as an independent, but thankfully it's a short-term problem before the Bronchos join NSU, Lindenwood and Nebraska-Kearney as new MIAA members in the fall of 2011.
The Bronchos have completed their 20-plus year association with the Lone Star Conference and don’t join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association until the start of the 2011-12 academic year, so this is a year of transition for UCO.
Obviously, the most difficult item to deal with this year is finding teams to play since there is no built-in conference schedule.
A look at UCO’s football slate shows just how tough it was.
The Bronchos managed to come up with an 11-game schedule -- including five at Wantland Stadium -- but six of the first seven games are on the road, including the opening four.
Long-time state rivals East Central, Southeastern Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma are back. Former LSC foe Angelo State is there along with future MIAA opponents Fort Hays State and Washburn.
But UCO will also face four teams for the first time ever, traveling to long-time Division II power North Alabama and Football Championship Subdivision member Cal Poly in addition to hosting Division II newcomers Black Hills State and Lindenwood.
It’s an interesting schedule and also a very tough one that will definitely require the Bronchos to play at a high level, starting right off the bat with a trip to North Alabama.
Soccer and volleyball will also have limited home contests this fall, though those sports didn’t have as tough a time filling their schedules.
Soccer will play eight of its 18 games at Tom Thompson Field, with the twist being that the Bronchos will play three teams – ECU, SWOSU and Northeastern State – twice, once at home and once away.
Volleyball will also have home-and-home matches with three schools (ECU, SWOSU and SOSU), but UCO’s 33-match schedule will actually include more contests at Hamilton Field House this year (10) than last (eight).
The men's and women's basketball schedules aren't official, but it appears each will have at most seven home games and both teams are set to play NSU and Lindenwood four times apiece.
It remains to be seen what UCO's other schedules will look like.
Such are the hazards of playing as an independent, but thankfully it's a short-term problem before the Bronchos join NSU, Lindenwood and Nebraska-Kearney as new MIAA members in the fall of 2011.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Golf Teams Ready; LSC Farewell
Congrats to the UCO men’s and women’s golf teams, who both earned invites to the NCAA Division II post-season party that begins with regional competition on May 1.
The 13th-ranked women go to Amarillo, Texas for the West Regional May 1-3, while the top-rated men – yes, that’s No. 1 in the nation – travel to Georgetown, Ky. For the South Central/Central Regional May 2-4.
Nine teams make up the women’s field, with every squad ranked in the top 19 nationally. Three of those nine, along with three individuals, qualify for the national tournament.
Michael Bond’s squad has enjoyed a good year, having placed in the top six in all 10 tournaments in 2010-11. The Bronchos have six top four finishes, winning their own UCO/Mahogany Classic last fall at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City.
Freshman Chaney Uhles has the team’s best scoring average at 77.2, while juniors Emily Leahey (77.9) and Erica Bensch (77.9) have also been consistent performers. Rookie Taylor Neidy (79.0) and junior Mychael McWhorter (81.5) round out the team that will be gunning to earn UCO’s first-ever national tournament berth.
Twenty teams comprise the men’s super regional, with the top five and two individuals advancing on to the national championships.
Dax Johnston and the Bronchos have put together simply an amazing year, having won a school-record eight tournaments in 11 tries. UCO finished runner-up in two other tournaments with its worst finish, a fifth at the St. Edward’s Invitational in early March, the direct result of an injury that forced the team to play a man short.
This veteran, close-knit unit obviously has the ability to be a prime national championship contender. They’re not ranked No. 1 in the country for nothing, taking over that top spot in the latest coaches poll after capturing the Lone Star Conference title May 20 in San Antonio.
Senior stud Colby Shrum leads the way, carrying a salty 70.7 scoring average with a school-record five individual championships to his credit. Sophomore Josh Creel has a 71.3 average and nine top-10 finishes, including two titles.
Juniors Andrew Green (72.0) and Baer Aneshansley (73.9) and sophomore Chris Muriana (75.0) complete the powerhouse squad that has its sights set high for the month of May.
And on another note . . . the Lone Star Conference Track and Field Championships in Stephenville, Texas on May 6-8 will mark the end of an era for the Central Oklahoma athletic department.
It will be the final LSC event the Bronchos will ever compete in as the school starts its transition to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, a process that will have UCO competing as NCAA Division II independents next year before joining the MIAA for the 2012-13 academic year.
It will be sad to leave a league I’ve been around since we joined back in the late 1980s and I’ll certainly miss all the people in the conference office and from the LSC affiliated teams whom I’ve come to know over the years.
But it will also mean the start of some new and exciting rivalries with schools various UCO teams have met off-and-on over the years. The Bronchos have gone against Northwest Missouri, Pittsburg State, Central Missouri, Washburn, Emporia State and other MIAA teams in several sports over the years and there’s no question our new league ranks among of the best in Division II.
So, after next week, it will be farewell to the LSC. It was good to know you.
The 13th-ranked women go to Amarillo, Texas for the West Regional May 1-3, while the top-rated men – yes, that’s No. 1 in the nation – travel to Georgetown, Ky. For the South Central/Central Regional May 2-4.
Nine teams make up the women’s field, with every squad ranked in the top 19 nationally. Three of those nine, along with three individuals, qualify for the national tournament.
Michael Bond’s squad has enjoyed a good year, having placed in the top six in all 10 tournaments in 2010-11. The Bronchos have six top four finishes, winning their own UCO/Mahogany Classic last fall at Lincoln Park in Oklahoma City.
Freshman Chaney Uhles has the team’s best scoring average at 77.2, while juniors Emily Leahey (77.9) and Erica Bensch (77.9) have also been consistent performers. Rookie Taylor Neidy (79.0) and junior Mychael McWhorter (81.5) round out the team that will be gunning to earn UCO’s first-ever national tournament berth.
Twenty teams comprise the men’s super regional, with the top five and two individuals advancing on to the national championships.
Dax Johnston and the Bronchos have put together simply an amazing year, having won a school-record eight tournaments in 11 tries. UCO finished runner-up in two other tournaments with its worst finish, a fifth at the St. Edward’s Invitational in early March, the direct result of an injury that forced the team to play a man short.
This veteran, close-knit unit obviously has the ability to be a prime national championship contender. They’re not ranked No. 1 in the country for nothing, taking over that top spot in the latest coaches poll after capturing the Lone Star Conference title May 20 in San Antonio.
Senior stud Colby Shrum leads the way, carrying a salty 70.7 scoring average with a school-record five individual championships to his credit. Sophomore Josh Creel has a 71.3 average and nine top-10 finishes, including two titles.
Juniors Andrew Green (72.0) and Baer Aneshansley (73.9) and sophomore Chris Muriana (75.0) complete the powerhouse squad that has its sights set high for the month of May.
And on another note . . . the Lone Star Conference Track and Field Championships in Stephenville, Texas on May 6-8 will mark the end of an era for the Central Oklahoma athletic department.
It will be the final LSC event the Bronchos will ever compete in as the school starts its transition to the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association, a process that will have UCO competing as NCAA Division II independents next year before joining the MIAA for the 2012-13 academic year.
It will be sad to leave a league I’ve been around since we joined back in the late 1980s and I’ll certainly miss all the people in the conference office and from the LSC affiliated teams whom I’ve come to know over the years.
But it will also mean the start of some new and exciting rivalries with schools various UCO teams have met off-and-on over the years. The Bronchos have gone against Northwest Missouri, Pittsburg State, Central Missouri, Washburn, Emporia State and other MIAA teams in several sports over the years and there’s no question our new league ranks among of the best in Division II.
So, after next week, it will be farewell to the LSC. It was good to know you.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
This 'N That
So what happened to March? A month that flew by in record time saw a lot of great things happen for UCO's winter sports teams.
You have to start with men's basketball, which won a school-record 30 games and advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing a tough game in the finals of the South Central Regional. Coach Terry Evans did a masterful job with this team, which won a fourth straight LSC North Division title and then the LSC Tournament crown in finishing 30-4.
It's a shame the Bronchos fell a game short of making it to the Elite Eight, but what a ride they had. And what a performance by UCO and the City of Edmond in putting on the South Central Regional! Attendance was great -- capped by an overflow crowd for the finals -- and everybody who participated in the tournament had nothing but positive things to say about their experience.
And the Bronchos should be really, really good again next year. Dauntae Williams ended a masterful two-year career as the Division II Player of the Year by one organization, a well-deserved honor for one of UCO's best-ever players, but all the other main pieces from this year's club should return in 2011-12.
What can you say about the job Guy Hardaker did with the women's basketball team? An injury-racked squad that back in November figured to struggle to a winning record put together a stirring late-season run that resulted in runner-up finishes in the LSC North Division, the LSC Tournament and the South Central Regional.
UCO fought tough and nail in the regional finals before finally succumbing to Northwest Missouri and finished 22-10 in advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years.
Ashley Beckley was the lone senior for the Bronchos and all she did was put together perhaps the finest all-around season in school history to cement her spot among the best to ever put on a UCO uniform. Everybody else will be back next year -- along with a host of players who sat out with injury -- and the future indeed looks bright.
UCO didn't have quite the showing it envisioned for wrestling, with the Bronchos coming in 13th in the Division II national tounament. Freshman Cory Dauphin and sophomores Trison Graham and Kelly Henderson earned All-America honors, but Coach David James and crew figured to do more damage on the national stage with eight qualifiers.
The good thing is, all eight of those qualifiers return next year as the Bronchos didn't have one single senior in the starting lineup. There were many positives on the mat, from a 15-4 dual record to the fact that seven individuals won 29-plus matches, so things are definitely headed up.
I promise you that a 13th-place national finish is not up to the standards of UCO's powerhouse wrestling program -- which counts 15 national championships among its many highights -- and look for that to be corrected in 2011-12.
You have to start with men's basketball, which won a school-record 30 games and advanced to the Sweet 16 before losing a tough game in the finals of the South Central Regional. Coach Terry Evans did a masterful job with this team, which won a fourth straight LSC North Division title and then the LSC Tournament crown in finishing 30-4.
It's a shame the Bronchos fell a game short of making it to the Elite Eight, but what a ride they had. And what a performance by UCO and the City of Edmond in putting on the South Central Regional! Attendance was great -- capped by an overflow crowd for the finals -- and everybody who participated in the tournament had nothing but positive things to say about their experience.
And the Bronchos should be really, really good again next year. Dauntae Williams ended a masterful two-year career as the Division II Player of the Year by one organization, a well-deserved honor for one of UCO's best-ever players, but all the other main pieces from this year's club should return in 2011-12.
What can you say about the job Guy Hardaker did with the women's basketball team? An injury-racked squad that back in November figured to struggle to a winning record put together a stirring late-season run that resulted in runner-up finishes in the LSC North Division, the LSC Tournament and the South Central Regional.
UCO fought tough and nail in the regional finals before finally succumbing to Northwest Missouri and finished 22-10 in advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years.
Ashley Beckley was the lone senior for the Bronchos and all she did was put together perhaps the finest all-around season in school history to cement her spot among the best to ever put on a UCO uniform. Everybody else will be back next year -- along with a host of players who sat out with injury -- and the future indeed looks bright.
UCO didn't have quite the showing it envisioned for wrestling, with the Bronchos coming in 13th in the Division II national tounament. Freshman Cory Dauphin and sophomores Trison Graham and Kelly Henderson earned All-America honors, but Coach David James and crew figured to do more damage on the national stage with eight qualifiers.
The good thing is, all eight of those qualifiers return next year as the Bronchos didn't have one single senior in the starting lineup. There were many positives on the mat, from a 15-4 dual record to the fact that seven individuals won 29-plus matches, so things are definitely headed up.
I promise you that a 13th-place national finish is not up to the standards of UCO's powerhouse wrestling program -- which counts 15 national championships among its many highights -- and look for that to be corrected in 2011-12.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Post-season Time!
March has brought much madness to UCO as our three winter sports teams are involved in the post-season. It's an exciting time in Broncho Land right now.
Start with the men's basketball team, which is 28-3 -- that's 28 wins, 3 losses folks! -- and hosting a regional tournament this weekend at Hamilton Field House. It's only the second time UCO has ever hosted an NCAA Division II regional and the first one came way back in 1993.
Now up to No. 4 in the national rankings, the Bronchos are the top seed for this weekend's eight-team regional and is the definite favorite to win the title. UCO just doesn't look at home or not very often away. Only twice in the last 53 games has Terry Evans' teams tasted defeat at Hamilton Field House. That's quite a stat and hopefully the 23-game home winning streak gets stretched to 26 by next Tuesday.
First-round action starts Sunday, semifinals are Sunday and the championship game is Tuesday. Make your way out to Hamilton Field House and support the Bronchos in their quest for the regional championship.
But if you must leave town, take a trip to Tahlequah and support the UCO women's squad that will be playing in the regional at Northeastern State. The Bronchos open Friday and are underdogs to first-round foe Washburn, but I wouldn't consider a win to be an upset.
I think Guy Hardaker has done a remarkable job with this team. Only one senior (stud Ashley Beckley), four freshmen and a full team of injured players on the bench whose presence would have undoubtedly made this team REALLY special!
The Bronchos are 20-9, which is remarkable considering all the that has transpired the last few months. With the way UCO played in last week's LSC Tournament I wouldn't be surprised to see this team pull off a surprise or two or three in Tahlequah.
And last, by certainly not least, we have the wrestling team that is in Kearney, Neb. this weekend for the Division II national tournament. The No. 8-ranked Bronchos qualified eight individuals -- tied for the second-most -- and is looking for a higher-than-expected finish.
Talk about young teams . . . the Bronchos are just that. No seniors among the qualifiers and just one junior. Two freshmen and five sophomores make up the rest of the national tournament team.
Who knows what's in store for UCO in Kearney, but history is definitely with the Bronchos. Two previous national tournaments held here -- in 1995 and 2007 -- resulted in national championships for David James' boys. Again, the odds may be against UCO on the mat, but I would never count out those in blue singlets this weekend.
Good luck to all three teams for what could be truely a memorable weekend.
Start with the men's basketball team, which is 28-3 -- that's 28 wins, 3 losses folks! -- and hosting a regional tournament this weekend at Hamilton Field House. It's only the second time UCO has ever hosted an NCAA Division II regional and the first one came way back in 1993.
Now up to No. 4 in the national rankings, the Bronchos are the top seed for this weekend's eight-team regional and is the definite favorite to win the title. UCO just doesn't look at home or not very often away. Only twice in the last 53 games has Terry Evans' teams tasted defeat at Hamilton Field House. That's quite a stat and hopefully the 23-game home winning streak gets stretched to 26 by next Tuesday.
First-round action starts Sunday, semifinals are Sunday and the championship game is Tuesday. Make your way out to Hamilton Field House and support the Bronchos in their quest for the regional championship.
But if you must leave town, take a trip to Tahlequah and support the UCO women's squad that will be playing in the regional at Northeastern State. The Bronchos open Friday and are underdogs to first-round foe Washburn, but I wouldn't consider a win to be an upset.
I think Guy Hardaker has done a remarkable job with this team. Only one senior (stud Ashley Beckley), four freshmen and a full team of injured players on the bench whose presence would have undoubtedly made this team REALLY special!
The Bronchos are 20-9, which is remarkable considering all the that has transpired the last few months. With the way UCO played in last week's LSC Tournament I wouldn't be surprised to see this team pull off a surprise or two or three in Tahlequah.
And last, by certainly not least, we have the wrestling team that is in Kearney, Neb. this weekend for the Division II national tournament. The No. 8-ranked Bronchos qualified eight individuals -- tied for the second-most -- and is looking for a higher-than-expected finish.
Talk about young teams . . . the Bronchos are just that. No seniors among the qualifiers and just one junior. Two freshmen and five sophomores make up the rest of the national tournament team.
Who knows what's in store for UCO in Kearney, but history is definitely with the Bronchos. Two previous national tournaments held here -- in 1995 and 2007 -- resulted in national championships for David James' boys. Again, the odds may be against UCO on the mat, but I would never count out those in blue singlets this weekend.
Good luck to all three teams for what could be truely a memorable weekend.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Regional Wrestling Updates
Okay, we're ready for the finals and consolation finals of the regional tournament now. Three UCO guys are going for the gold and five others for the bronze.
Here we go . . .
Trison Graham had a 17-match winning streak ended in the 133 finals with a tough 7-5 loss to Limestone's Michael Magaha. Graham's escape and takedown in the third period gave him a 3-1 lead and he held that until the final minute, when Magaha reversed Trison to his back and added a three-point near-fall to go ahead 6-3. Graham got a reverse with 27 seconds left and immediately cut Magaha, but he couldn't get the tying takedown and lost the 7-5 decision.
Ky Corley fell in the consolation finals at 141, losing 5-2 to Truman State's Ryan Maus. Corley, who beat Maus 8-6 in Friday's quarterfinals, led 2-1 after two perios, but Maus got an escape, takedown and riding time point to hand Corley the setback. Ky will have to Central Missouri's Marcus Walker in a fourth-place challenge match, needing a win there to earn a trip to the national tournament.
UCO will have to win another fourth-place challenge match at 149 after Austin Standage dropped an 8-6 overtime decision to Central Missouri's Brandon Russow. Standage trailed 5-1 after getting turned for a three-point near-fall in the second period, but he got a reverse to pull within 5-3. Austin released Russow with 30 seconds left in the match after collecting enough riding time for a point in the third period and then tied it on a takedown with nine secords remaining to force overtime. Standage came close to a takedown early in sudden-victory period, but Russow came out on top of a scramble with 29 seconds left to end it.
The losing streak reached four at 157 where Cory Dauphin fell to Nebraska-Omaha's George Ivanov 3-2 in the finals. The top-ranked Ivanov scored an early takedown to go up 2-0, with the fifth-rated Dauphin escaping late in the period to pull within 2-1. Cory tied it with an escape early in the second and he controlled Ivanov for the first minute of the final stanza before Ivanov escaped to break the 2-2 deadlock. Dauphin couldn't come up with a takedown in the final seconds as Ivanov held on.
Kelly Henderson ended that streak with a 2-1 overtime win over Ashland's Ryan Thatcher in the 174 consolation finals. Neither wrestler scored an offensive point, trading escapes, but Kelly pulled it out midway through the sudden-victory period with a penalty point when Thatcher was hit with his second stall warning.
The Bronchos lost their third and last finals match at 184 where Tanner Keck lost to Nebraska-Omaha's Aaron Denson 2-1. Not much action in the match, with Denson's scoring on an escape and riding time point and Keck's on a penalty point in the third period.
Ky Corley stamped his ticket to the national tournament with a 7-2 win over Marcus Walker in the fourth-place challenge match at 141. Corley had two first-period takedowns to take control in holding on to fourth and qualifying for the national meet two weeks from now in Kearney, Neb.
Austin Standage did the same at 149, winning 2-1 in overtime in the fourth-place challenge match over Nicolas Stella of King. Each wrestler had an escape and then midway through the sudden victory period Stella was hit with his second stall warning call and the penalty point gave Standage the victory.
Jarrett Edison lost his second overtime match of the tournament in the consolation finals at 197, falling 6-4 to Finday's Daniel Stevenson. Edison had a 3-1 lead in the third period, but was hit with a stalling penalty and then gave up a reverse to fall behind 4-3 before tying it with a late reverse. Stevenson then ended it in the sudden victory period with a takedown, but Edison is still headed to his third national tournament.
A bad round continued for UCO as Cody Dauphin lost a last-second 3-1 decision to Nebraska-Omaha's Taylor Escamilla in the consolation finals at heavyweight. Dauphin's second-period escape broke a scoreless tie and Escamilla tied it to start the third. Cody nearly scored a takedown on the edge with 15 seconds left before the wrestlers went off the mat and Escamilla ended it on a takedown with just two seconds remaining. Dauphin will wrestle a fourth-place challenge match in 45 minutes.
And Cody Dauphin ends the tournament for UCO with a heart-stopping 6-5 win over Findlay's Andrew Tumlin, winning it on a riding time point. Dauphin had two takedowns in taking a 5-1 lead midway through the second period, but Tumlin got an escape and takedown to make it 5-4 entering the third. Tumlin escaped early in the third to tie it, but Cody's 1:10 riding time advantage gave him the point needed for the win.
The Bronchos ended up with eight individual qualifiers.
The Bronchos are third in team standings heading into Saturday with nine individuals still in line to earn a national tournament berth. Here we go with the championship semifinal and consolation quarterfinal results . . .
Starting it off for UCO was Trison Graham in the 133 semifinals and he marched into the finals with a 12-4 major decision over Scott Meyer of Ashland. Meyer got a quick takedown to take the early lead, but Graham tied it with a reverse and then went ahead 7-2 in the second period with a reverse, near-fall and penalty point. Trison added a pair of third-period takedowns to complete the big win and clinch a spot in the national tournament.
Ky Corley dropped a wild 13-10 decision to top-ranked Mario Morgan of Nebraska-Omaha in the 141 semifinals. Corley tied it 5-5 late in the first period, but Morgan got an escape and takedown in the final nine seconds to go on top 8-5 and the only scoring in the second period was a Morgan escape that made it 9-5. It was a 13-8 deficit late in the match when Corley got a takedown , but he couldn't turn Morgan in the final seconds.
Austin Standage was pinned by Nebraska-Omaha's No. Esai Dominguez in 1:36 at 149 to drop into the consolations.
Cory Dauphin moved into the finals with a methodical 10-3 victory over Appolon Jean-Paul of Belmont-Abbey. The fifth-ranked freshman broke a scoreless tie in the final minute of first period with a takedown before Jean-Paul escaped 45 seconds later. Dauphin then took control in the second period with an escape and a pair of takdowns that made it 7-2 and had added a third-period takedown to win going away. Cory will take on UNO's George Ivanov in the finals.
The Bronchos had their second individual eliminated at 165 when Derrick Adkins was pinned in his consolation quarterfinal match.
Kelly Henderson lost a tough 3-1 overtime decision to Bryce Sopko of Limestone in the quarterfinals at 174. The two traded escapes after a scoreless first period and then Sopko won it 35 seconds into the sudden-victory period with a takedown off a Henderson shot.
Jarrett Edison stayed alive with another dominating consolation victory, scoring a 15-0 technical fall over Doug Thompson of Central Missouri. It was the second straight technical fall for Edison, who had three takedowns and three near-falls in the rout.
Cody Dauphin lost his semifinal bout to fifth-ranked Jacob Southwick of Ashland, getting pinned at the 3:42 mark. The two big men battled to a scoreless first period tie, but Southwick was able to turn Cody and get the fall 42 seconds into the second period.
Tanner Keck gave UCO its third finalist, beating Limestone's Casey Bradley 8-6. Keck had two first-period takedowns in grabbing a 4-2 lead and made it 7-3 with an escape and takedown in the second before Bradley made it interesting with an escape and takedown to pull within 7-6. Keck escaped seconds later for the 8-6 lead and easily staved off Bradley's late takedown tries to move into the finals.
Ky Corley stayed in contention for a national tournament berth with an 11-3 major decision in the consolation semifinals at 141. Corey trailed Limestone's Matthew Hall 2-1 after one period, tied it with an escape late in the second and seized control when he took Hall down to his back for a five-point move in the final 10 seconds to go on top 7-2. A takedown and near-fall in the final stanza finished off the major decision.
Austin Standage also moved into the consolation finals, pulling out a 6-5 win over Truman State's Colton Schmitz at 149. Standage used a late second-period reverse to take a 5-4 lead and Schmitz escaped early in the third, but Austin broke the tie with a riding time point earned.
Another consolation semifinal winner was Kelly Henderson at 174, who pinned Findlay's Mason True in 6:34. Henderson had a first-period takedown and second-period reverse in taking a 4-2 lead into the final period, but True escaped to make it 4-3. But Henderson came through late, taking True down and straight to his back in the final 45 seconds to get the fall.
Cody Dauphin made it four in a row in the consolation semifinals with a first-period pin at heavyweight. Cody took Limestone's Tarek Alaruri down midway through the three-minute opening stanza and then turned him for his team-high 11th fall at the 3:32 mark.
Jarrett Edison finished off UCO's strong consolation showing with a 9-4 win over Tiffin's Alek Hughes at 197. It was the third straight dominating consolation win for Edison, who has bounced back strong from Friday's quarterfinal upset loss. Jarrett had four takedowns in strolling past Hughes to make the consolation finals.
Quarterfinal/Consolation Updates . . .
Trison Graham was first up for the Bronchos Friday night and the 133-pound sophomore was impressive, cruising to a 16-1 technical fall over Ouachita Baptist's Brantley Pyle. Graham had three takedowns, three near-falls and a reverse in winning his 16th straight match.
At 141, Ky Corley moved into the quarterfinals with an 8-5 win over Truman State's Ryan Maus. Corley had three first-period takedowns in opening up a 6-2 lead and went ahead 8-2 in the third with another takedown before Maus made it close with an escape and takedown.
Austin Standage picked up an exciting win at 149, pinning Central Missouri's Brandon Russow with three seconds left in the second period. Standage was leading 3-2 late in the period when Russow scored a reverse, but Standage got a reverse of his own seconds later and took Russow to his back for the fall.
Cory Dauphin used an early five-point move to take control en route to an 8-3 win at 157 over Ouachita Baptist's Bobby Williams. Dauphin head locked Williams to his back to take the 5-0 lead, saw Williams within within 5-3 in the final minute and then clinched it with an escape and takedown.
By a mere four seconds, Kelly Henderson pulled out a 2-1 win over Jonathan Forbes of King in the quarterfinals at 174. The two traded escapes, with Kelly using 1:04 of riding time to earn the tie-breaking point.
Tanner Keck moved into tomorrow's semifials with a 5-3 victory over Jerami Bartley of Belmont-Abbey. Keck had a pair of takedowns and gave up three escapes in the win.
UCO suffered a huge upset at 197 when Jarrett Edison lost a 5-1 overtime decision to Ashland's Corby Running. The two traded escapes through regulation and nobody scored in the sudden-victory period before Running caught Edison with a three-point near-fall in the first tiebreaker and then escaped in the second one. Edison, a two-time regional runner-up, was the No. 2 seed and ranked fifth nationally.
Cody Dauphin ended the quarterfinals with a 2-1 double-OT win over King's Dondricus Anderson at heavyweight. Not much offense as the two big men traded escapes through regulation, no match-winning takedown in the first sudden-victory period and both escaped in the first two tiebreakers. No score in the second sudden-victory period, then Cody controlled Anderson in the third tiebreaker and escaped early in the fourth to pull out the win.
Zach Housley was eliminated from the tournament with a 4-3 loss to Belmont-Abbey's Shane Summerlin in the consolations at 125. Housley nearly turned Summerlin numerous times in the final period in gaining a riding time point, but Summerlin got the winning reverse with just 10 seconds remaining.
Derrick Adkins stayed alive at 165 with a 6-4 win over King's Patrick Spano. Adkins built a 5-0 lead midway through the first period, but Spano came back with an escape and takedown to pull within 5-3 by the end of the period and made it 5-4 with a second-period escape. Adkins went up 6-4 with an escape midway through the third and held on.
Jarrett Edison finished the day with a dominating 15-0 technical fall over Josh Price of St. Andrews in bouncing back from his upset loss to stay in contention for his third national tournament berth. Edison had three takedowns and four near-falls in the rout.
About the first round . . .
Well, some plans don't get off to such a good start.
The idea was the provide match-by-match updates of UCO's individuals in the NCAA Division II Super Regional II Wrestling Tournament that started this morning in Findlay, Ohio, but technical difficulties prevented me from getting on the internet until after the tournament started.
Anyway . . . I'll be posting updates after each UCO match throughout the tournament today and tomorrow.
Zach Housley got off to a great start against No. 3 seed Ryan Banning of Truman State at 125 with an opening-minute takedown and he later added a near-fall to go up 5-0, but Banning got a late reverse to pull within 5-2 after the opening period. Banning then took the lead with a takedown and near-fall in the second period and went on to a 9-6 win to drop Housley into the consolations.
Ky Corley held on for a 7-6 victory over Findlay's Jan Ulinski at 141. Ky got an early takedown, but a Ulinski reverse tied it and Corley ended up needing a last-second escape to end the first period with a 6-5 lead. The two traded escapes in the final two periods as Corley moved into the quarterfinals.
Cory Dauphin advanced to the quarterfinals with a 9-1 major decision over Truman State's Devon Fenstermaker. Dauphin had a takedown and near-fall in taking a 5-0 first-period lead, nearly getting a fall in the final seconds. He gave up an escape in the second period and then had an escape and takedown in the final stanza, adding a riding time point the major decision.
Derrick Adkins suffered an 8-4 upset at 165, falling to Limestone's Michael DiPierro. The fourth-seeded Adkins, a returning national qualifier, never led and didn't score an offensive point in the match as he fell into the consolations.
Jarrett Edison moved on with an easy 11-2 major decision over Phillip Bucher of Lake Erie. A two-time regional runner-up and seeded No. 2 this time, Jarrett had three takedowns, a reverse and a near-fall in coasting into the quarterfinals.
Cody Dauphin didn't waste in time advancing, needing just 58 seconds to score his team-leading 10 fall of the season over Bobby Hager of Lake Erie.
Four UCO wrestlers -- Trison Graham (133), Austin Standage (149), Kelly Henderson (174) and Tanner Keck (184) -- received first-round byes. Quarterfinal and consolation action begins at 2 p.m. and I'll provide updates again then.
Here we go . . .
Trison Graham had a 17-match winning streak ended in the 133 finals with a tough 7-5 loss to Limestone's Michael Magaha. Graham's escape and takedown in the third period gave him a 3-1 lead and he held that until the final minute, when Magaha reversed Trison to his back and added a three-point near-fall to go ahead 6-3. Graham got a reverse with 27 seconds left and immediately cut Magaha, but he couldn't get the tying takedown and lost the 7-5 decision.
Ky Corley fell in the consolation finals at 141, losing 5-2 to Truman State's Ryan Maus. Corley, who beat Maus 8-6 in Friday's quarterfinals, led 2-1 after two perios, but Maus got an escape, takedown and riding time point to hand Corley the setback. Ky will have to Central Missouri's Marcus Walker in a fourth-place challenge match, needing a win there to earn a trip to the national tournament.
UCO will have to win another fourth-place challenge match at 149 after Austin Standage dropped an 8-6 overtime decision to Central Missouri's Brandon Russow. Standage trailed 5-1 after getting turned for a three-point near-fall in the second period, but he got a reverse to pull within 5-3. Austin released Russow with 30 seconds left in the match after collecting enough riding time for a point in the third period and then tied it on a takedown with nine secords remaining to force overtime. Standage came close to a takedown early in sudden-victory period, but Russow came out on top of a scramble with 29 seconds left to end it.
The losing streak reached four at 157 where Cory Dauphin fell to Nebraska-Omaha's George Ivanov 3-2 in the finals. The top-ranked Ivanov scored an early takedown to go up 2-0, with the fifth-rated Dauphin escaping late in the period to pull within 2-1. Cory tied it with an escape early in the second and he controlled Ivanov for the first minute of the final stanza before Ivanov escaped to break the 2-2 deadlock. Dauphin couldn't come up with a takedown in the final seconds as Ivanov held on.
Kelly Henderson ended that streak with a 2-1 overtime win over Ashland's Ryan Thatcher in the 174 consolation finals. Neither wrestler scored an offensive point, trading escapes, but Kelly pulled it out midway through the sudden-victory period with a penalty point when Thatcher was hit with his second stall warning.
The Bronchos lost their third and last finals match at 184 where Tanner Keck lost to Nebraska-Omaha's Aaron Denson 2-1. Not much action in the match, with Denson's scoring on an escape and riding time point and Keck's on a penalty point in the third period.
Ky Corley stamped his ticket to the national tournament with a 7-2 win over Marcus Walker in the fourth-place challenge match at 141. Corley had two first-period takedowns to take control in holding on to fourth and qualifying for the national meet two weeks from now in Kearney, Neb.
Austin Standage did the same at 149, winning 2-1 in overtime in the fourth-place challenge match over Nicolas Stella of King. Each wrestler had an escape and then midway through the sudden victory period Stella was hit with his second stall warning call and the penalty point gave Standage the victory.
Jarrett Edison lost his second overtime match of the tournament in the consolation finals at 197, falling 6-4 to Finday's Daniel Stevenson. Edison had a 3-1 lead in the third period, but was hit with a stalling penalty and then gave up a reverse to fall behind 4-3 before tying it with a late reverse. Stevenson then ended it in the sudden victory period with a takedown, but Edison is still headed to his third national tournament.
A bad round continued for UCO as Cody Dauphin lost a last-second 3-1 decision to Nebraska-Omaha's Taylor Escamilla in the consolation finals at heavyweight. Dauphin's second-period escape broke a scoreless tie and Escamilla tied it to start the third. Cody nearly scored a takedown on the edge with 15 seconds left before the wrestlers went off the mat and Escamilla ended it on a takedown with just two seconds remaining. Dauphin will wrestle a fourth-place challenge match in 45 minutes.
And Cody Dauphin ends the tournament for UCO with a heart-stopping 6-5 win over Findlay's Andrew Tumlin, winning it on a riding time point. Dauphin had two takedowns in taking a 5-1 lead midway through the second period, but Tumlin got an escape and takedown to make it 5-4 entering the third. Tumlin escaped early in the third to tie it, but Cody's 1:10 riding time advantage gave him the point needed for the win.
The Bronchos ended up with eight individual qualifiers.
The Bronchos are third in team standings heading into Saturday with nine individuals still in line to earn a national tournament berth. Here we go with the championship semifinal and consolation quarterfinal results . . .
Starting it off for UCO was Trison Graham in the 133 semifinals and he marched into the finals with a 12-4 major decision over Scott Meyer of Ashland. Meyer got a quick takedown to take the early lead, but Graham tied it with a reverse and then went ahead 7-2 in the second period with a reverse, near-fall and penalty point. Trison added a pair of third-period takedowns to complete the big win and clinch a spot in the national tournament.
Ky Corley dropped a wild 13-10 decision to top-ranked Mario Morgan of Nebraska-Omaha in the 141 semifinals. Corley tied it 5-5 late in the first period, but Morgan got an escape and takedown in the final nine seconds to go on top 8-5 and the only scoring in the second period was a Morgan escape that made it 9-5. It was a 13-8 deficit late in the match when Corley got a takedown , but he couldn't turn Morgan in the final seconds.
Austin Standage was pinned by Nebraska-Omaha's No. Esai Dominguez in 1:36 at 149 to drop into the consolations.
Cory Dauphin moved into the finals with a methodical 10-3 victory over Appolon Jean-Paul of Belmont-Abbey. The fifth-ranked freshman broke a scoreless tie in the final minute of first period with a takedown before Jean-Paul escaped 45 seconds later. Dauphin then took control in the second period with an escape and a pair of takdowns that made it 7-2 and had added a third-period takedown to win going away. Cory will take on UNO's George Ivanov in the finals.
The Bronchos had their second individual eliminated at 165 when Derrick Adkins was pinned in his consolation quarterfinal match.
Kelly Henderson lost a tough 3-1 overtime decision to Bryce Sopko of Limestone in the quarterfinals at 174. The two traded escapes after a scoreless first period and then Sopko won it 35 seconds into the sudden-victory period with a takedown off a Henderson shot.
Jarrett Edison stayed alive with another dominating consolation victory, scoring a 15-0 technical fall over Doug Thompson of Central Missouri. It was the second straight technical fall for Edison, who had three takedowns and three near-falls in the rout.
Cody Dauphin lost his semifinal bout to fifth-ranked Jacob Southwick of Ashland, getting pinned at the 3:42 mark. The two big men battled to a scoreless first period tie, but Southwick was able to turn Cody and get the fall 42 seconds into the second period.
Tanner Keck gave UCO its third finalist, beating Limestone's Casey Bradley 8-6. Keck had two first-period takedowns in grabbing a 4-2 lead and made it 7-3 with an escape and takedown in the second before Bradley made it interesting with an escape and takedown to pull within 7-6. Keck escaped seconds later for the 8-6 lead and easily staved off Bradley's late takedown tries to move into the finals.
Ky Corley stayed in contention for a national tournament berth with an 11-3 major decision in the consolation semifinals at 141. Corey trailed Limestone's Matthew Hall 2-1 after one period, tied it with an escape late in the second and seized control when he took Hall down to his back for a five-point move in the final 10 seconds to go on top 7-2. A takedown and near-fall in the final stanza finished off the major decision.
Austin Standage also moved into the consolation finals, pulling out a 6-5 win over Truman State's Colton Schmitz at 149. Standage used a late second-period reverse to take a 5-4 lead and Schmitz escaped early in the third, but Austin broke the tie with a riding time point earned.
Another consolation semifinal winner was Kelly Henderson at 174, who pinned Findlay's Mason True in 6:34. Henderson had a first-period takedown and second-period reverse in taking a 4-2 lead into the final period, but True escaped to make it 4-3. But Henderson came through late, taking True down and straight to his back in the final 45 seconds to get the fall.
Cody Dauphin made it four in a row in the consolation semifinals with a first-period pin at heavyweight. Cody took Limestone's Tarek Alaruri down midway through the three-minute opening stanza and then turned him for his team-high 11th fall at the 3:32 mark.
Jarrett Edison finished off UCO's strong consolation showing with a 9-4 win over Tiffin's Alek Hughes at 197. It was the third straight dominating consolation win for Edison, who has bounced back strong from Friday's quarterfinal upset loss. Jarrett had four takedowns in strolling past Hughes to make the consolation finals.
Quarterfinal/Consolation Updates . . .
Trison Graham was first up for the Bronchos Friday night and the 133-pound sophomore was impressive, cruising to a 16-1 technical fall over Ouachita Baptist's Brantley Pyle. Graham had three takedowns, three near-falls and a reverse in winning his 16th straight match.
At 141, Ky Corley moved into the quarterfinals with an 8-5 win over Truman State's Ryan Maus. Corley had three first-period takedowns in opening up a 6-2 lead and went ahead 8-2 in the third with another takedown before Maus made it close with an escape and takedown.
Austin Standage picked up an exciting win at 149, pinning Central Missouri's Brandon Russow with three seconds left in the second period. Standage was leading 3-2 late in the period when Russow scored a reverse, but Standage got a reverse of his own seconds later and took Russow to his back for the fall.
Cory Dauphin used an early five-point move to take control en route to an 8-3 win at 157 over Ouachita Baptist's Bobby Williams. Dauphin head locked Williams to his back to take the 5-0 lead, saw Williams within within 5-3 in the final minute and then clinched it with an escape and takedown.
By a mere four seconds, Kelly Henderson pulled out a 2-1 win over Jonathan Forbes of King in the quarterfinals at 174. The two traded escapes, with Kelly using 1:04 of riding time to earn the tie-breaking point.
Tanner Keck moved into tomorrow's semifials with a 5-3 victory over Jerami Bartley of Belmont-Abbey. Keck had a pair of takedowns and gave up three escapes in the win.
UCO suffered a huge upset at 197 when Jarrett Edison lost a 5-1 overtime decision to Ashland's Corby Running. The two traded escapes through regulation and nobody scored in the sudden-victory period before Running caught Edison with a three-point near-fall in the first tiebreaker and then escaped in the second one. Edison, a two-time regional runner-up, was the No. 2 seed and ranked fifth nationally.
Cody Dauphin ended the quarterfinals with a 2-1 double-OT win over King's Dondricus Anderson at heavyweight. Not much offense as the two big men traded escapes through regulation, no match-winning takedown in the first sudden-victory period and both escaped in the first two tiebreakers. No score in the second sudden-victory period, then Cody controlled Anderson in the third tiebreaker and escaped early in the fourth to pull out the win.
Zach Housley was eliminated from the tournament with a 4-3 loss to Belmont-Abbey's Shane Summerlin in the consolations at 125. Housley nearly turned Summerlin numerous times in the final period in gaining a riding time point, but Summerlin got the winning reverse with just 10 seconds remaining.
Derrick Adkins stayed alive at 165 with a 6-4 win over King's Patrick Spano. Adkins built a 5-0 lead midway through the first period, but Spano came back with an escape and takedown to pull within 5-3 by the end of the period and made it 5-4 with a second-period escape. Adkins went up 6-4 with an escape midway through the third and held on.
Jarrett Edison finished the day with a dominating 15-0 technical fall over Josh Price of St. Andrews in bouncing back from his upset loss to stay in contention for his third national tournament berth. Edison had three takedowns and four near-falls in the rout.
About the first round . . .
Well, some plans don't get off to such a good start.
The idea was the provide match-by-match updates of UCO's individuals in the NCAA Division II Super Regional II Wrestling Tournament that started this morning in Findlay, Ohio, but technical difficulties prevented me from getting on the internet until after the tournament started.
Anyway . . . I'll be posting updates after each UCO match throughout the tournament today and tomorrow.
Zach Housley got off to a great start against No. 3 seed Ryan Banning of Truman State at 125 with an opening-minute takedown and he later added a near-fall to go up 5-0, but Banning got a late reverse to pull within 5-2 after the opening period. Banning then took the lead with a takedown and near-fall in the second period and went on to a 9-6 win to drop Housley into the consolations.
Ky Corley held on for a 7-6 victory over Findlay's Jan Ulinski at 141. Ky got an early takedown, but a Ulinski reverse tied it and Corley ended up needing a last-second escape to end the first period with a 6-5 lead. The two traded escapes in the final two periods as Corley moved into the quarterfinals.
Cory Dauphin advanced to the quarterfinals with a 9-1 major decision over Truman State's Devon Fenstermaker. Dauphin had a takedown and near-fall in taking a 5-0 first-period lead, nearly getting a fall in the final seconds. He gave up an escape in the second period and then had an escape and takedown in the final stanza, adding a riding time point the major decision.
Derrick Adkins suffered an 8-4 upset at 165, falling to Limestone's Michael DiPierro. The fourth-seeded Adkins, a returning national qualifier, never led and didn't score an offensive point in the match as he fell into the consolations.
Jarrett Edison moved on with an easy 11-2 major decision over Phillip Bucher of Lake Erie. A two-time regional runner-up and seeded No. 2 this time, Jarrett had three takedowns, a reverse and a near-fall in coasting into the quarterfinals.
Cody Dauphin didn't waste in time advancing, needing just 58 seconds to score his team-leading 10 fall of the season over Bobby Hager of Lake Erie.
Four UCO wrestlers -- Trison Graham (133), Austin Standage (149), Kelly Henderson (174) and Tanner Keck (184) -- received first-round byes. Quarterfinal and consolation action begins at 2 p.m. and I'll provide updates again then.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Winter Teams Roll On
It's been quite the winter sports season for UCO. That's actually an understatement, as the three teams currently competing -- men's basketball, women's basketball and wrestling -- have a combined record of 41-9 through games/matches of Jan. 22! Talk about impressive.
The Bronchos are ranked 13th in men's hoops and will certainly move up later this week when the new poll comes out. Terry Evans' crew is a snazy 18-2 on the year and 4-0 in Lone Star Conference North Division play, having won eight games in a row.
UCO is also riding a 20-game home winning streak. Amazingly, only three home games remain this season -- Jan. 29 against East Central, Feb. 2 against Northeastern State and Feb. 23 against Southwestern Oklahoma.
This team has a chance to go deep in the NCAA Division II playoffs this season, showcasing great depth and the ability to wear teams out with their fast-paced tempo and defensive pressure. All-American Dauntae Williams is simply a stud and he gets most of the press, but there are several other key parts on this squad.
Brent Friday, with his ability to go inside and score against the big boys while also playing shut-down defense on the perimeter. Jarrod McDaniel, another stout defender with amazing quickness who gets UCO's running game going. Tyler Phillips with his toughness and outside shooting ability. This team plays well together and looks to be on a mission.
UCO's women are a somewhat surprising 11-5 overall and 4-0 in the North Division. I say that because the Bronchos are getting major minutes and increasingly better production from a trio of freshmen, and with first-year players you never quite know what you're gonna get.
Guy Hardaker has five players -- three returners, two newcomers -- on the bench sitting out this year with injury who would have been major contributors this season, yet his team has still prospered. The Bronchos literally get better every time they take the court and if that continues they will definitely be a factor come post-season time.
Ashley Beckley is the lone senior on the squad and what a year she's having. The nicest young lady you could ever hope to meet off the court and an absolute demon on it, A-Beck has been dominating this season with her all-around play in the paint. And she's one heckuva leader, too.
Courtney Allen and Alyssa Fuxa are junior veterans who have both played really well, having taken over games in their own right this winter. But the play of rookies Britney Morgan, Kylie Mayes and Tarrington Oakes has absolutely been the key to UCO's success. Morgan has started every game and grown by leaps and bounds, Mayes is becoming more of an inside terror by the day and Oakes has improved perhaps more than any other player since the start of the season.
Fans have four more chances to see this team in action -- doubleheaders on the same dates as the men along with a Feb. 16 meeting with Texas Woman's.
Speaking of teams winning with youngsters . . . how 'bout those Broncho grapplers? Long-time coach David James has probably the youngest team he's ever had with nine -- count 'em, nine! -- freshmen and sophomores in his 10-man lineup and yet UCO is 12-2 and riding a 10-match winning streak.
Oh, and the Bronchos are ranked fifth in the country.
Last year's 15th-place national tournament finish didn't set too well with D.J. and the 29th-year skipper brought in several highly-regarded freshmen plus a key transfer to go along with some young talent already in the room. Mix it all together and UCO appears on its way back to being a Division II powerhouse once again, one that will be a major contender in the national championship race every year.
This young group has improved mightily since November, though D.J. continues to emphasize that much work still remains.
Jarrett Edison is the lone upperclassmen in the starting lineup and the junior 197-pounder is enjoying a stellar season, as are sophomore returners Trison Graham, Derrick Adkins and Kelly Henderson. Freshmen brothers Cory and Cody Dauphin have infused the team with talent and personality and sophomore Ky Corley has been a big-time addition.
Fans will have just one more chance to see this team in action, with the Bronchos set to host Ouachita Baptist and Newman on Feb. 11.
It's been a great winter so far for the Bronchos and the stretch run of February and March should be an exciting time for all three teams.
The Bronchos are ranked 13th in men's hoops and will certainly move up later this week when the new poll comes out. Terry Evans' crew is a snazy 18-2 on the year and 4-0 in Lone Star Conference North Division play, having won eight games in a row.
UCO is also riding a 20-game home winning streak. Amazingly, only three home games remain this season -- Jan. 29 against East Central, Feb. 2 against Northeastern State and Feb. 23 against Southwestern Oklahoma.
This team has a chance to go deep in the NCAA Division II playoffs this season, showcasing great depth and the ability to wear teams out with their fast-paced tempo and defensive pressure. All-American Dauntae Williams is simply a stud and he gets most of the press, but there are several other key parts on this squad.
Brent Friday, with his ability to go inside and score against the big boys while also playing shut-down defense on the perimeter. Jarrod McDaniel, another stout defender with amazing quickness who gets UCO's running game going. Tyler Phillips with his toughness and outside shooting ability. This team plays well together and looks to be on a mission.
UCO's women are a somewhat surprising 11-5 overall and 4-0 in the North Division. I say that because the Bronchos are getting major minutes and increasingly better production from a trio of freshmen, and with first-year players you never quite know what you're gonna get.
Guy Hardaker has five players -- three returners, two newcomers -- on the bench sitting out this year with injury who would have been major contributors this season, yet his team has still prospered. The Bronchos literally get better every time they take the court and if that continues they will definitely be a factor come post-season time.
Ashley Beckley is the lone senior on the squad and what a year she's having. The nicest young lady you could ever hope to meet off the court and an absolute demon on it, A-Beck has been dominating this season with her all-around play in the paint. And she's one heckuva leader, too.
Courtney Allen and Alyssa Fuxa are junior veterans who have both played really well, having taken over games in their own right this winter. But the play of rookies Britney Morgan, Kylie Mayes and Tarrington Oakes has absolutely been the key to UCO's success. Morgan has started every game and grown by leaps and bounds, Mayes is becoming more of an inside terror by the day and Oakes has improved perhaps more than any other player since the start of the season.
Fans have four more chances to see this team in action -- doubleheaders on the same dates as the men along with a Feb. 16 meeting with Texas Woman's.
Speaking of teams winning with youngsters . . . how 'bout those Broncho grapplers? Long-time coach David James has probably the youngest team he's ever had with nine -- count 'em, nine! -- freshmen and sophomores in his 10-man lineup and yet UCO is 12-2 and riding a 10-match winning streak.
Oh, and the Bronchos are ranked fifth in the country.
Last year's 15th-place national tournament finish didn't set too well with D.J. and the 29th-year skipper brought in several highly-regarded freshmen plus a key transfer to go along with some young talent already in the room. Mix it all together and UCO appears on its way back to being a Division II powerhouse once again, one that will be a major contender in the national championship race every year.
This young group has improved mightily since November, though D.J. continues to emphasize that much work still remains.
Jarrett Edison is the lone upperclassmen in the starting lineup and the junior 197-pounder is enjoying a stellar season, as are sophomore returners Trison Graham, Derrick Adkins and Kelly Henderson. Freshmen brothers Cory and Cody Dauphin have infused the team with talent and personality and sophomore Ky Corley has been a big-time addition.
Fans will have just one more chance to see this team in action, with the Bronchos set to host Ouachita Baptist and Newman on Feb. 11.
It's been a great winter so far for the Bronchos and the stretch run of February and March should be an exciting time for all three teams.
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