Bronchos Sign Four Wrestlers

EDMOND (May 15) – Perennial NCAA Division II wrestling powerhouse Central Oklahoma has added four recruits for the 2009-10 season, with head coach David James having signed two Oklahoma prep standouts and a pair out-of-state products.

Set to join the 15-time national champion Bronchos next season are Marlow’s Tanner Keck and Tulsa Union’s Tyler Greenhaw along with Chris Watson of Central High School in Andover, Kan. and Eden Berstein of Allen, Texas.

“We’re excited that these four young men have decided to come to UCO and welcome them to our wrestling family,” said James, who has led the Bronchos to 12 national titles and 319 dual wins in his 27 years at the helm. “They all come from quality high school programs and each one will fit in well here at UCO.”

Keck was a four-time state placer at Marlow, finishing his career with a 141-20 record while wrestling for former UCO All-American Keith Kizarr. A projected 174-pounder for the Bronchos, Keck won back-to-back state championships his last two years and was an All-State pick this past season.

Greenhaw, who will compete at 157 or 165 pounds in college, was a three-time state qualifier and two-time state runner-up at Union. His high school coach was Steve Dunlap, another former Broncho.

Watson put together a stellar 159-13 career record as a four-time state qualifier, three-time state finalist and two-time champion at Central. A projected 157-pounder with the Bronchos, Watson was 78-2 his final two years and went a perfect 40-0 as a senior.

Berstein was a three-time state qualifier and two-time state placer at Allen while wrestling for former UCO national champion Jerry Best. Berstein had a 154-34 career record and is expected to compete at 165 pounds for the Bronchos.

UCO signed one other state star last fall during the early period, with Duncan’s Casy Rowell going on to win his third state championship this season. He was named Outstanding Wrestler in the Class 5A state tournament and was recently selected as the Oklahoma Male Athlete of the Year by the Oklahoma Coaches Association.