Oklahoma City Univ. signs first wrestling recruit, schedules Oklahoma for its first dual meet

Richard Tortorelli Oklahoma City Univ.
05/30/2006

OCU signs Johnson as first wrestling recruit ever

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University signed Corey A. Johnson as its first wrestling recruit ever recently.

Johnson, from Oologah, Okla., finished as Class 3A runner-up at 215 pounds as a senior. Johnson, who finished 36-3, will be in the Oklahoma Coaches Association all-state games this summer as heavyweight on the small East team. Johnson also was Tulsa World all-metro.

In his career, Johnson earned a third-place finish in the state tournament as a junior and qualified for state as a sophomore.

Johnson said he chose OCU for its “wrestling program combined with excellent academics and Christian environment.”

OCU will field its first wrestling team this fall under the guidance of coach Archie Randall.

“Corey Johnson fits the mold of the student-athlete we’re looking for and the goals of our university,” Randall said. “Not only is he an excellent wrestler who will be competitive next year, but he is an outstanding student and individual.”

OCU takes on Oklahoma in first wrestling dual ever

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University will take on the University of Oklahoma in its first wrestling dual ever when the program starts in 2006-07.

The Stars visit Oklahoma on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. in Norman, Okla. OU finished third at the NCAA Championships and second at the Big 12 Tournament this past spring.

OCU will field its first wrestling team this fall under the guidance of coach Archie Randall.

“Our opener is a little tough,” Randall said. “It’s a little rough, but if you want to be the best, you wrestle the best.”

OCU opens at the Lindenwood Open on Oct. 28 in St. Charles, Mo. The Stars match up against Newman (Kan.) in the first wrestling dual at Abe Lemons Arena ever on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

The Stars also have duals with in-state rivals Central Oklahoma on Dec. 13 in Edmond, Okla., and Bacone on Jan. 5, 2007 at home.

“We will be competitive the first year out,” Randall said. “We want to give our athletes a wide range of competition. The most important thing will be what happens at the end.”

OCU’s season finishes with the NAIA Championships on March 1-3, 2007 in Sioux City, Iowa.