Published: June 26, 2008 08:15 pm      

UCO wrestling adds four recruits

NCAA Division II wrestling powerhouse Central Oklahoma has added four more high school standouts to the program, head coach David James announced Thursday.

Set to join the Bronchos for the 2008-09 season is Travis Quintero and Levi Queen of Harrah, Austin Standage of Stillwater and Trison Graham of Arkansas City, Kan.

“We’re excited about getting these four young men in our program and look forward to having them on campus,” said James, who has led the Bronchos to 12 national championships in his 26 years at the helm. “Travis and Trison both had tremendous high school success and have a chance to help us right away, while Levi and Austin are up-and-coming young guys with tremendous potential.”

Quintero was a four-time state placer at Harrah, finishing fourth his first two years before making the Class 4A finals the last two seasons. He capped his career with a state championship at 135 pounds, winning tournament Outstanding Wrestler honors in the process.

Graham was a rare four-time state champion and lost only a handful of matches during his stellar career at Arkansas City. He’s a projected 133-pounder for the Bronchos.

Queen was a two-time state placer, finishing as runner-up last year at 215. Standage was a fourth-place finish as a senior at Stillwater at 140 pounds.

UCO has seven starters back from last year’s sixth-place national tournament team.