Men's Wrestling 10/29/2018 4:01:00 PM

OCU looks to impact national scene

Hazewinkel to make his head-coaching debut

New Oklahoma City University men's wrestling coach Sam Hazewinkel believes he has a team that could try for national honors in 2018-19.
The Stars will enter the season ranked 15th in the NAIA with six individuals appearing at the top-20 rankings at their weights. OCU comes off an 8-2 dual season and 20th-place finish in the NAIA Championships, where two Stars became all-Americans.
OCU will open its season 7 p.m. Tuesday against Oklahoma Wesleyan at Abe Lemons Arena. The Stars also take on Ouachita Baptist (Ark.) in a home dual 3 p.m. Saturday before hosting the Oklahoma City Open at 9 a.m. Sunday.
"I'm really excited about this year," said Hazewinkel, fresh off representing the United States in the World Championships. "These guys have bought in. They are ready to compete now. This team can be a top-10 team now. You see upside. The ceiling is high for this team."
Gage Johnson and Bryson McGowan provide OCU a wealth of depth and talent at 285 pounds. Both became all-Americans last season.
Johnson collected seventh place at 285 pounds in the 2018 NAIA Championships. Johnson, who finished 22-13, defeated McGowan 7-3 in the seventh-place match. Johnson, a sophomore from Norman, Okla., became the fourth true freshman and fifth freshman from OCU to grab all-American acclaim. Johnson drew the No. 4 rating among NAIA heavyweights to start the season.
McGowan, a senior from Hulbert, Okla., finished last season 21-13 to up his career record to 74-48 with three national-tournament appearances. McGowan knocked off Johnson for the inaugural Sooner Athletic Conference 285-pound championship. McGowan enters the season ranked fifth at 285.
"Bryson has proven he's the team leader," Hazewinkel said.
Korey Walker gives the Stars three all-Americans at heavyweight. Walker, a junior from Midwest City, Okla., became an all-American as a freshman. He has a 65-22 record with two national-tournament bids.
"I've never seen this before," Hazewinkel said of his talented heavyweights. "It's a great problem to have. It will be interesting see which two come out on top. I expect to see one of them in the finals."
A more in-depth look at the Stars:

125

Montana Moon will man the 125-pound spot for the Stars. Moon, a sophomore from Chickasha, Okla., placed third in the SAC Championships and went 13-11 in his college debut. Moon stood 19th in the preseason rankings. "He's acting like a veteran as a sophomore," Hazewinkel said.

133

Logan Chappell will wrestle for the Stars at 133. Chappell, a freshman from Piedmont, Okla., became a placer in the always competitive Oklahoma state tournament during his prep days. "Keep an eye on him," Hazewinkel said.

141

Jaxen Gilmore, a freshman from Yukon, Okla., arrives at OCU after winning the 145-pound Class 6A state championship and earning Oklahoma Coaches Association all-state accolades. Parker Bohannan, a senior from Yukon, Okla., lends his national-tournament experience. Hazewinkel said, "They both show they want the spot. Both are vying to qualify for nationals."

149

Connor Holman and Nick Mahan are college rookies looking to compete at 149 for OCU. Holman, a freshman out of Choctaw, Okla., became the 138-pound state champ. "His horsepower will allow him to break opponents. He will be fun to watch," Hazewinkel said of Holman. Holman and Mahan, a freshman from Lawton, Okla., took all-state honors in high school.

157

Matt Landgraff went to the NAIA Championships for the second year in a row after reeling in the 149-pound conference title. Landgraff, a senior from Weeki Wachee, Fla., put together a 21-5 mark as a junior to bring his career record to 57-23. He owns the 10th spot in the rankings.
"Matt Landgraff is setting the pace for the team and outworking everyone," Hazewinkel said. "He is a veteran. He was having a great season, but he had a disappointing finish. He is working hard to finish on top."

165

Jon McGowan, a freshman from Hulbert, Okla., and Austin Loza, a freshman from Enid, Okla., each took state runner-up and all-state honors as prep wrestlers. "They are vying for the spot in what could be a yearlong battle," Hazewinkel said. "The guy who comes out on top will compete for all-American because of the competition they will have gone through."

174

Chase Vincent finished as SAC runner-up at 165 and posted an 18-9 mark as a freshman. Vincent, a sophomore from Yukon, Okla., owns the 11th slot in the ratings. "He has worked hard this summer," Hazewinkel said.

184

There will be a battle among the upper weights for the 184- and 197-pound spots. Tanner Borror, a junior from Coweta, Okla., has the edge in experience having qualified for the national tournament. Borror checked in at No. 15 in the rankings. Kaden Truelove, a junior from Mustang, Okla., fell short of a national-tournament spot despite placing second in the SAC Championships at 174.

197

Israel Andres Villa, a sophomore from Roswell, N.M., finished third at 197 in the SAC Championships last season. Easton Rendleman, a freshman from Choctaw, Okla., grabbed runner-up in the state tournament, while Ryan Bracken, a freshman from Blanchard, Okla., took the 285-pound Class 4A state title as a prep wrestler. "Our deepest and most heated competition," Hazewinkel said of the upper weights. "It will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Each of them will have their chance to be a starter."

OCU added to a nucleus of six ranked individuals by bringing in three state champions, five all-staters and six state finalists in its recruiting class.
"We have a lot of freshmen," Hazewinkel said. "We're excited to see what they bring."

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Players Mentioned

Parker Bohannan: 141; 5' 8"; Senior

Tanner Borror: 165; 5' 11"; Senior

Gage Johnson: 285; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Matt Landgraff: 157; 5' 10"; Senior

Bryson McGowan: 285; 6' 2"; Senior

Montana Moon: 125; 5' 7"; Sophomore

Kaden Truelove: 184; 5' 11"; Junior

Israel Andres Villa: 174; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Chase Vincent: 165; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Korey Walker: 285; 5' 10"; Junior

Ryan Bracken: 197; Freshman

Austin Loza: 165; 5' 8"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Parker Bohannan
: 5' 8"; Senior
: 141

Tanner Borror
: 5' 11"; Senior
: 165

Gage Johnson
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: 285

Matt Landgraff
: 5' 10"; Senior
: 157

Bryson McGowan
: 6' 2"; Senior
: 285

Montana Moon
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: 125

Kaden Truelove
: 5' 11"; Junior
: 184

Israel Andres Villa
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: 174

Chase Vincent
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: 165

Korey Walker
: 5' 10"; Junior
: 285

Ryan Bracken
: Freshman
: 197

Austin Loza
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: 165