Quick Facts:
Head Coach: LeRoy Gardner
Years at School as Head Coach: 1
Career Record at Current School: 8-7
Assistant Coach: Jason Schweer
2016-2017 Dual Record: 8-7
Program History: Beginning fourth year
NCAA III Regional: 12th place
2017 NCAA Qualifiers: None 

Season Outlook:
Beginning its fourth year of existence, the University of the Ozarks wrestling program made major strides last season under head coach LeRoy Gardner. The 2017-2018 team returns a large nucleus from last year's squad and is primed to continue its ascending climb. Fueling that momentum is the program's first winning dual record (8-7) as well as an improved showing at the NCAA Division III Regional. Ozarks finished fourth at the Southeast Conference Wrestling Tournament in North Carolina. At the NCAA Division III Regional, sophomore Ny'Trell Dean made history when he became the program's first-ever winner at a regional. Dean, in the 141-pound division, won his first round match with a pin fall in :46. The Eagles finished 12th as a team, its best finish thus far. Also posting wins at the regional were Devon Jackson (125), Joey Schneck (174) and Adolfo Sotolongo (197). In just three years of competition, the program has thrived, thanks to an extensive and wide-spread recruiting philosophy that reaches across the country. Last season, the wrestling program had student-athletes from 14 different states. With another strong incoming recruiting class combined with those already on the roster, the Eagles are expected to translate that talent into even more wins on the mat. 
   
 
Top Returning Starters:
Ny'Trell Dean (SE Conference Runner-Up)
Devon Jackson (SE Conference Place-winner)
Mario Vasquez (SE Conference Runner-Up)
Adolfo Sotolongo (SE Conference Place-winner)

Top Incoming Wrestlers:
Nathan Rankin (2x Texas State Place-winner, 5x Fargo All-American GR/FS, NHSCA All-American), Austin Dye (AR State Champion, 2x AR State Runner Up), Tracey Eitel (1x Texas State Runner-Up, 2x Texas State Place-winner), Cameron Barnes (Texas State Champion), Matthew Garcia (Texas State Place-winner)

Coach Gardner Quotes:
"I was proud of the guys' progress last season. They have carried that excitement into this season. As far as expectations, I think for us it is a matter of are we willing to do the work every single day. If they will do the work every day, it puts the probability of success on their side. There are no guarantees in this sport and that's the beauty of it. It frees you from worrying about it and allows you to just put in the work and every day. And when it comes time to perform, just execute the best you can."
    

2017-2018 Online Media Guide

2017-2018 Schedule

October
28 - Intersquad                

November
1 at Ottawa Dual                 
5 at Oklahoma City University Open                                       
16 at Arkansas Baptist Dual                                                    
18 at Olivet College Comet Duals                                              
18 at Southwest Open                                                               

December
2 at Hatcher Invite                                                               
16 at Gator Boots Duals                                                           
30 - NWA Duals                                                             

January
6 at Central Under Armour Invite                                          
16 at Drury Dual                                                              
21 at UCM Roger Denker Open                                                  
23 at Central Baptist Dual                                                          
27 at NEO Golden Norsemen Open                                           
31 - Bacone Dual                                                            

February
3 at Missouri Valley Open                                                         
10 at Southeast Conference Tournament                                 
24-25 at NCAA III Regionals

March
9 at NCAA III National Tournament
10 at NCAA III National Tournament