Former Guthrie High School head wrestling coach Jack O’Connor will be inducted into the University of Central Oklahoma Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments on the college mat, including being named a three-time All-American.
O’Connor is one of four former UCO athletes that will be inducted to the hall of fame on Friday, Oct. 2.
According to the school’s athletic website, O’Connor came to UCO from Northern Oklahoma College and was a three-time All-American at 158 pounds while helping lead the Bronchos to three consecutive NAIA national championships.
The Duncan native broke into the starting lineup late in the season as a sophomore in 1983-84 and was unseeded at the national tournament before pulling off a series of upsets en route to capturing the gold medal and sparking UCO to the team title.
O’Connor, who guided the Guthrie program for 20 seasons, came back the following season and made it all the way to the national finals before dropping a close match in finishing runner-up and ending with a 28-12 record to help the Bronchos repeat as team champions.
UCO won a third straight team crown in 1985-86 as O’Connor went 27-11-1 with 10 bonus-point wins while earning All-America honors again with a sixth-place national tournament finish.
Along with O’Connor, Eddie Robinson, Chasidy Horton Jeff Gowens and Wendell Simons were selected.
In addition, the 1962 UCO football squad that captured the NAIA national title became the first team named to the Hall of Fame. The Bronchos were coached by former Guthrie football coach Al Blevins (1968-71), who went on to a perfect 11-0 season, outscoring their opponents a combined 350-59 while recording five shutouts.
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