Throughout Casy Rowell’s storied high school wrestling career, accolades have piled up for the two-time state champion. On Thursday, he added one more to the list: biggest recruit in David James’ 27-year tenure at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Rowell capped off two of the toughest weeks of his life by signing a letter of intent to wrestle for the Bronchos. He will join his brother, Cody Rowell, and look to make an immediate impact for the storied program.
“He will fit in well,” James said. “He will have an opportunity to immediately step in and compete. We take a lot of pride in recruiting Oklahoma, that’s our bloodline and we’re honored to sign Casy. His resume speaks for itself. I feel like we signed a blue-chipper. He is one of the best light-weights in the country, and he’s the best recruit that I have signed.”
The lure of wrestling with his brother in addition to competing for a national championship on a yearly basis proved to be too big for Rowell to pass up. The senior chose UCO over Oklahoma. He also considered Old Dominion and Cal-State Fullerton.
“It’s been a couple of the worst two weeks of my life because of the time crunch,” Rowell said. “The process had parts that I enjoyed, all the trips that I took and all the people I met. But it was stressful. It’s a huge relief already. I don’t have to worry about coming home and talking on the phone. I can enjoy my senior season and, hopefully, win another state championship.”
Winning a state championship is something that is becoming second nature to Rowell, who has not lost a match in over two years. The drive that he has displayed in winning those titles has Duncan head coach Tom Brack feeling that his charge will have a strong career at the next level.
“I’ve coached 33 years and, when you put it all together, he is the best that I have ever had,” Brack said. “The skill level is what separates him.
“Just cause you’re a good high school wrestler doesn’t mean you will be a good college wrestler. But I have no doubt he will be a good college wrestler. He loves to wrestle. It wouldn’t surprise me if he wins a national championship.”
As one of the best light-weight wrestlers in the nation, Rowell could have competed for that national championship at the Division I level. In making his decision, the size of the school did not have an impact, as he chose to go with his heart in finding the place he could be happy. In choosing to go with UCO, an NCAA D-II program, Rowell found that place.
“All the coaches tell you that they want you, but Coach James really stressed that he needed me,” Rowell said. “A lot of people try to down D-II, but I have seen D-II wrestlers go out and thump D-I. A national championship is a national championship.
“I’m not trying to impress anyone, I’m just trying to be happy.”
Rowell couldn’t help impressing the UCO program, which was familiar with him through his brother, Cody, who is a starter this season.
“I feel Casy is special,” James said, “he’s a very special young man. He comes from a great family and he is focused and driven. His resume speaks for itself.”
Rowell’s resume also includes an impressive stint as a football player for Duncan as well as a state championship in the pole vault. Next season, Rowell will, of course, give up both sports as he focuses on wrestling, his first love.
“It puts pressure on you, but I’m excited,” Rowell said. “My brother will be up there for his senior year and we will push each other.
“I just want to go out there and enjoy my last years of wrestling.”
Sports
One of a kind
Rowell signs with uco wrestling team
- Sports
-
-
Bray-Doyle names four new head coaches
Four new coaches were named Thursday, filling vacancies left after a flood of resignations at the end of the school year.
-
Whipples back to where it started
Kevin Whipple, one of the best golfers to come out of Duncan, was back on the course where he learned to play the game about three decades ago as he and his father, Dale, paired up in the 35th Annual Blowout Tournament on Saturday.
-
Low scores on Day 1 of Blowout
Duncan Golf & Tennis Club members are leading seven of the eight flights after the first round of action, and are second in the Blowout Flight.
-
WELL STATED
Britton Scott and Kelsey LeValley didn’t earn titles at the state tennis tournament like they hoped to, but they can rest assured they will still get a chance to end their high school careers on a high note.
Scott and LeValley were among the eight players selected to the Girls’ West All-State Tennis Team, which was announced Wednesday. They will take on the East team on July 24 at the University of Tulsa. -
Under new management
Sometimes, change can be a good thing. For the Marlow Outlaws football team, this season is gearing up to be full of it.
After a disappointing 1-9 finish to the season, which included six losses by 10 points or less, there was a change of command for MHS.
On April 20, Rob Renshaw, who had spent the past six seasons at Putnam City High School as the offensive coordinator, was named the official head coach of the Outlaws. -
Laying the foundation
Last season, the Velma-Alma Comets had a nightmare start to their year.
After losing its first five games, along with star running back Checotah Lynn to a knee injury, V-A was looking at an unthinkable losing season.
However, the Comets rebounded to win six straight games and earn second place in district, eventually reaching the second round of the playoffs before falling to Minco 51-18.
Monday evening saw the Comets hard at work on Edgar Martin Field as they try and build upon the success of 2011. -
Blowout is as big as ever in 35th year
The driving range has seen an increase in popularity, the putting green is getting more use and the course professionals are devoting more of their days to giving lessons.
With the 35th Annual Blowout Tournament this weekend at the Duncan Golf and Tennis Club, it isn’t a time to be rusty. -
First Impressions
Even before the rooster could finish his morning crows Monday, the Central High football team was hard at work at Broncho Stadium.
Enthusiasm was high and the pads were clapping as 18 CHHS players hit the field for the first time in 2012.
This marked the first official practice under head coach Andy Claborn, who takes over a Bronchos squad that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2011 with a 5-5 record. -
Scramble helps send Stevens to Pinehurst
Thanks to his performances in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments in Oklahoma City, Caden Stevens earned a spot in the World Championships.
Thanks to his fellow Stephens County residents, he will get to go.
Fifty-six players took part in the Team Caden Classic scramble on Saturday at Twin Oaks Golf Club. Between them and sponsorships from 11 local businesses, around $2,800 was raised to help send Stevens to Pinehurst, N.C., where he will compete at the storied golf resort against some of the best 7-year-olds in the world. -
Cards win Jess Welch title
Even though Duncan experienced a slight shower Sunday morning, it wasn’t enough to halt the final day of the Jess Welch Memorial Tournament at Abe Raizen Park.
In the championship of the 10-&-under division, it was an all-Duncan final between the Cardinals and Yankees, both of which survived semifinal matchups against teams from outside of Stephens County to advance earlier in the day.
Four runs in each of the first three innings proved to be too much for the Yankees to handle as the red birds took home the championship with a 15-0 victory in four innings. - More Sports Headlines
-
Bray-Doyle names four new head coaches

