This is the sixth of a 16-part series, analyzing the fall sports of each school in the Lone Star Conference. Today will feature the University of Central Oklahoma.
Football
Entering his third season as head coach, Tracy Holland can look at the bright side of last year’s 4-7 record. Despite a five-game losing streak in the middle of the year, the Bronchos managed to win three of their last four games, propelling them to an off-season that is still filled with enthusiasm.
“We’re very excited about we’ve got going on this year,” said Holland. “If there is one word to describe us, we are definitely young. But some of our young guys will be new faces, but some of them had to play a lot of time last year.”
While Holland says the team is young, he also describes his players as athletic and “extremely competitive.”
There will be some strong competition at the quarterback spot, where Ethan Sharp and Landon Greve battled for the job in the spring. And don’t count out Carter Whitson, a transfer from Oklahoma where he played receiver.
Sophomore guard Cody Hughes was a second-team All-LSC pick as a true freshman last year, and he returns to anchor a line that also includes Cody Ellett and Jake Kessen.
At receiver, Daniel Morrell returns to headline a talented group. Morrell earned second-team All-LSC honors with a 45-catch season that included 640 yards and six touchdowns. Matt Jackson, Dolphin Davis and Tucker Holland should provide some depth at receiver.
The running backs are young, but talented. And don’t forget about fast. Redshirt freshman Josh Birmingham will provide some speed at the tailback spot, and Tim Branch should add the power.
Defensively, it starts with linebacker Tucker Cason, a first-team All-LSC selection last season. The 6-1, 230-pound junior is not only one of the top performers, but also a team leader who plays much bigger than his size.
The secondary is inexperienced but will count on Rashawn Copeland and Ellis Knight for leadership.
Up front, Holland says the defensive line is “probably the strongest area on team in terms of depth.”
Five players with experience return this fall, including senior Jeremy Atkins and juniors Herbert Byrd and Ahamd Jones. Sophomore Sam Moses was an honorable mention All-LSC pick last year as a freshman.
The special teams should be solid thanks to a pair of sophomores – kicker Chris Robbs and punter Nick Chalifoux.
While the Bronchos played seven games on the road last season, they will get six at home this year, including the first two games of the season – Pittsburg State and Tarleton State – both at Edmond.
Volleyball
Head coach Jeff Boyland saw a little bit of improvement last year from the previous season, but a 7-6 conference finish and 16-16 overall mark isn’t exactly meeting the expectations for a program that won four conference championship in the 2000s decade.
Boyland will have a couple of All-LSC picks returning this year, including senior outside hitter Zuela Adom, who was picked LSC’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Adom was the league’s Newcomer of the Year last season, finishing sixth in the LSC with 382 kills.
Senior outside hitter Kristen Wilson is also back after earning first-team All-LSC honors.
Boyland said without a doubt, the outside hitter position is the strength of the team.
“I expect us to have some great firepower from our left and right sides,” Boyland said. “Kristen and Zuela are very solid and have a great deal of experience.”
Other returning players include senior middle blocker Courtney Whitlow and outside hitters Taylor Summers and Alex Richardson.
The schedule won’t be easy for the Bronchos, who play four teams who qualified for last year’s NCAA Division II playoffs, including national runner-up and LSC rival West Texas A&M.
Women’s Soccer
After a short hiatus from the top of the LSC, Central Oklahoma returned to form last season, winning the LSC Championship, edging WTAMU on penalty kicks in the finals.
Mike Cook is the only head coach UCO has ever had and enters his 13th season at the helm. To improve on last year’s 14-6-3 record, the Bronchos will call upon seven returning players who earned All-LSC recognition.
Sophomore forward Brittni Walker was a second-team All-LSC pick and was named LSC Freshman of the Year. Walker led the team with 21 points (eight goals, five assists). Also returning is junior forward Katelyn Cropp and senior midfielder Whitney Craft – a pair of second-team All-LSC picks.
Junior fullback McKenzie Caldwell has started the last two years to anchor the defense. Junior goalkeeper Samantha Rusk should handle the net for the Bronchos.
The lone senior on the squad is forward Beth Helm, who tied for sixth on the squad last year with seven points.
Women’s Cross Country
Head coach J.D. Martin enters his seventh season looking to improve on a second straight fourth-place finish. UCO was picked third in the preseason polls and a big reason why is the return of senior runners Julia Crocker and Alina Istrate.
The Bronchos also have six other returners from last season, including junior Heather Braley and sophomores Cara Cox and Angelica Martinez.