Mat Points
• Central Missouri Mules Wrestling will look to bounce back this week as they begin MIAA dual action. The Mules struggled at the Maverick Duals going 0-3 and falling to 2-5 in dual action this season.
• UCM kicks off conference dual action on the road at Newman and Central Oklahoma. UCM takes on the Jets on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and then battles the Bronchos on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Both duals will begin at 7 p.m.
• The Mules have one tournament left in the regular season as they will host the annual Roger Denker Open on Jan. 21 at the Multi. They have fared well in their four tournaments this season with 22 overall placewinners and two champions.
• John Feeney enters the 2018 calendar year nationally ranked at 125 pounds for UCM. He is ranked No. 12 with a 8-7 record. He has also seen action at 133 pounds this season.
• In the latest national rankings, the Mules are receiving one vote and in Super Region III they are ranked No. 13.
• UCM will not have its first home dual until Jan. 24 when the team welcomes the Lopers of Nebraska-Kearney. 

Series History
Central Missouri vs. Central Oklahoma: 0-38-0
The Mules are still looking for their first ever win against the Bronchos. Last season, UCO came into Warrensburg and handed Central Missouri its first dual loss of the year, 37-6. 

Central Missouri vs. Newman: 10-3-0
UCM holds the series lead against Newman. Lats season, the Jets came to Warrensburg ranked No. 23 in Division II, but the Mules walked away on top with a 32-13 dual win.

Scouting The Competition
Newman
• The Jets enter the week having competed in six tournaments this season, but have yet to compete in a dual. 
• In the 2017-18 MIAA Coaches' Preseason Poll, Newman was picked to finish sixth with five points. Last season, Newman went 0-5 in MIAA dual action to finish last.
• The Jets have a number of 10-plus winners this season. Noel Torres leads the way with the most wins at 19. his 19-2 record is also the best on the team. The 184 pounder won 18 straight matches to start the season. He finished fourth at 184 pounds at the Midwest Classic back in December.
• Tyler Lawley is second on the team in wins with 17 and has just eight losses on the year at 125 pounds. He went 3-2 at the Midwest Classic and has earned top five finishes in three tournaments this season.
• Thor Balavage (285) and Brandon Conrad (141) are the other double-digit winners at 14-7 and 11-8, respectively.

#13 Central Oklahoma
 • The Bronchos are 6-2 in dual action entering their dual against the Mules. They are 1-0 in MIAA dual action as well.
• In the 2017-18 MIAA Coaches' Preseason Poll, Central Oklahoma was picked second with two first-place votes and 22 points. In the latest NWCA top-25 poll, UCO is ranked No. 13 in Division II.
• The Bronchos are coming off a close 19-12 loss to No. 10 Notre Dame College at NWCA Division II National Duals. The Bronchos finished fifth at the National Duals. Their only other loss this season was to No. 5 McKendree, 23-10, also at the National Duals.
• Five UCO wrestlers entered the New Year nationally ranked for UCO in Josh Lindsey (125, 7th), Will Steltzlen (149, 7th), Bryan Dutton (157, 7th), Miguel Barreras (174, 11th), and Caleb Cotter (285, 6th).
• Cotter leads the way for the Bronchos. He is the lone returning All-American this season and is 15-1 on the season at heavyweight.

UCM Probable Lineup
125: Tyler Flood
133: Daide Agnew
141: Carson Meek or Zachary Schridde
149: Dominic Nobile or Kaleb Warner
157: Shea Conley or Kaleb Brooks
165: Jesse Reser
174: Allan Person
184: Braden Best
197: Dominique Hampton
285: Chase Miller

Up Next
• The Mules will continue dual action this weekend as they compete at the Nebraska-Kearney Midwest Duals on Saturday, Jan. 13. They will take on three teams in Colorado Mesa, Mary, and Colorado School Of Mines.