University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Caleb Cotter Named MIAA Wrestler of the Week

12/5/2016 11:42:00 AM | By: Chris Brannick

Caleb Cotter went 5-0 last week and took first-place at the Bob Smith Open hosted by Fort Hays State. [UCO Photo Services]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Central Oklahoma's Caleb Cotter was named Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Wrestler of the Week, the league announced Monday.

The junior heavyweight from Sapulpa won the Bob Smith Open hosted by Fort Hays State on Saturday, going 5-0 on the day on his way to his second individual title of the young season. Cotter also won the Oklahoma City Open in November.

"That's great news for Caleb," UCO head coach Todd Steidley said. "He's done really well for us so far this season. He's learning from both his wins and his losses and he showed that in Hays this weekend. I'm happy for him."

Cotter is 16-2 this season. On Saturday, Cotter started the tournament off with a 15-0 technical fall over Nebraska-Kearney's Aaron Griffith. He then advanced to the quarterfinals after winning by injury default over Bradon Huntley of Pratt Community College. In the quarters, Cotter beat Justin Smith of Missouri Valley College 13-0.

He beat Northwest Kansas Tech's Odgerek Batkhishig 9-2 in the semifinals to earn a spot in the 285-pound final for the fourth time in four tournaments this season. Cotter would need to beat Christian Lance, who was 20-0 with three tournament wins on the season and wrestling in his home gym at Hays.

Cotter prevailed.

He handed Lance his first loss of the season with a 6-2 win to take the heavyweight individual championship.

Cotter joins Miguel Barreras as MIAA Wrestler of the Week winners this season for UCO. The Bronchos are in action this week too, hosting Ouachita Baptist at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Hamilton Field House.

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories