Signing with the 15-time national champion Bronchos were high school standouts Trey Branscum of Ponca City, Kelly Henderson of Tahlequah, Shawn Ledford of Pawnee and Randy Tonche of Sallisaw, with UCO also adding a pair of junior college stars in Tommy McCarty of Bristow and Tim Elliott of Wichita, Kan.
"I'm certainly excited about this group of young men who will be joining our program," said veteran coach David James, named Division II Coach of the Year after leading UCO to the national title this season. "It's an outstanding class and we certainly expect a lot of big things from each one of them.
"They have all experienced a great deal of success in their careers and we're looking forward to having them a part of our UCO family."
Branscum enjoyed an amazing career at Class 5A powerhouse Ponca City, winning three straight state championships. He won at 119 pounds as a sophomore, 125 as a junior and 130 as a senior and is expected to be a 133- or 141-pounder at UCO.
Henderson was a three-time Class 5A state placer at Tahlequah, winning one title, and earned All-State honors as a senior. He's a projected 157- or 165-pounder for the Bronchos.
Ledford compiled an impressive 128-17 career record at Pawnee and was a three-time state finalist in Class 2A, winning back-to-back championships his last two years. Also an All-Stater, he is expected to compete at 141 or 149 pounds at UCO.
Tonche was a three-time state finalist at Sallisaw, finishing as runner-up his first two years before capping his career with a Class 3A state title. The All-Stater is a projected 197- or 285-pounder in college.
McCarty was a two-time juco All-American at Labette (Kan.) Community College, placing fourth as a freshman and third this season at 174 pounds. He was a three-time Class 3A state finalist at Bristow, winning two crowns, and will compete at 174 next season.
Elliott was also a two-time All-American at Labette, earning Outstanding Wrestler honors this season after capturing the 125-pound national championship following a fifth-place finish as a freshman. He won a Kansas high school state title as a senior at Wichita State and will wrestle at 133 next year for the Bronchos.
UCO will return four All-Americans from this year's national championship team.
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