OCU Closes Dual Season With 24-17 Win Over Newman

Michael Brown's major-decision victory clinched a 24-17 dual win over Newman (Kan.) on Wednesday at Fugate Gymnasium.

Mark Meyer posted his 67th career fall to add to his OCU career record. The Stars, ranked ninth in NAIA wrestling, finished the dual season 7-9.

Entering the 197-pound match, the Stars had a 20-14 lead. Brown, a sophomore from Noble, Okla., defeated Steven Cooksley 10-1 to put the dual out of reach headed into the final match of the night. Brown is rated 12th among NAIA 197-pounders.

Meyer, a senior from Midwest City, Okla., finished off Colton Duhr in 4:16 at 157 pounds. Meyer is the fourth-ranked 157-pounder in the NAIA.

The Stars led the dual 20-6 following the 165-pound match. OCU's Zach Skates, a redshirt freshman from Broken Arrow, Okla., drubbed Clark Driz 15-0. Skates is ranked eighth in the NAIA.

Josh Stewart picked up a forfeit win to give the Stars a 9-6 edge. Stewart, a senior from Muskogee, Okla., holds the 14th spot in the 149-pound national ratings.

Kidd Gomez started the Stars off with a 6-4 victory over Kris Workman in the 125-pound bout. Gomez, a senior from Noble, Okla., sits No. 5 in the 125-pound NAIA rankings.

OCU will aim to qualify individuals into the NAIA Championships in the NAIA Central Qualifying Group Tournament at 9 a.m. Feb. 16 in Baldwin City, Kan. Under a format new for this season, the top four placers per weight in the qualifying group tournament advance to the national tournament.

OKLAHOMA CITY 24
NEWMAN 17
125: Kidd Gomez, OCU, dec. Kris Workman, 6-4
133: Travis Rodenbaugh, NU, dec. Tyler Espitia, 6-1
141: Aaron Engels, NU, dec. Trevor Sterling, 5-0
149: Josh Stewart, OCU, by forfeit
157: Mark Meyer, OCU, pinned Colton Duhr, 4:16
165: Zach Skates, OCU, tech. fall Clark Driz, 15-0
174: Reece Wright-Conklin, NU, tech. fall Tyson Campbell, 18-0
184: Tyler Hasenbank, NU, dec. Cody Sivertsen, 11-6 (OT)
197: Michael Brown, OCU, maj. dec. Steven Cooksley, 10-1
285: Lorenzo Cerna, NU, dec. Stanley Lattimore, 2-1 (OT)