ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers wrestling team open the 2015-16 dual season tonight in Edmond, Oklahoma where they'll face Division II rival, the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos. The Tigers swept the Bronchos last season in their two duals by a combined score of 57-16.

The 2015 Ouachita Tigers squad features several new faces with the departure of All-American seniors Dallas Smith, Josh Myers, and Garrett Evans, along with senior Dexter Carter. Back this year to lead the Tigers are senior All-American Payne Hatter and returners Sawyer Smith, O'Dell Lee and Blake Clevenger. New head coach Todd Allen has relied heavily on their leadership to get his young squad ready for this year.  

"We've got a great group of freshman who are developing how they should be," Payne Hatter said. "They know they've got to fit in their spots well. We're flying under the radar this season, what better way to chase greatness as a team."

Hatter also echoed his coaches sentiments that the Tigers were in no position to be complacent as a program because of past successes. Despite winning a JuCO national championship in 2014, Hatter was not heavily recruited by other DII programs. He made an immediate impact for the Tigers last year on his way to earning All-American status at Nationals.

"Ouachita was the only DII program that gave me the time of day," Hatter said. "It's nice that people are noticing me now, but it doesn't mean anything if we don't win as a team. What we did last year isn't going to effect what happens this year. We've got to be hungry and what it more than they do."

Tonight's dual is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. You can purchase live video of tonight's dual by clicking here.     

Here is the projected line-up for tonight's dual:

Wt.        Name                Yr.       Rec.               
125- Weston Cronan        So.      (6-4)    
133- Harrison Bamman     Fr.       (2-4)   
141- Blake Clevenger       So.      (7-5)     .
        Gunnar Smith          Fr.       (1-6)    .
149- Connor Loderhose    So.      (4-4)   
157- Sawyer Smith          Sr.       (7-2)       
        Collin Chambers      So.      (1-2)            .
165- Izaak Simar             Fr.       (6-4)  .
174- Payne Hatter            Sr.       (5-4)       .
184- O'Dell Lee                Sr.       (3-2)   
197- Austin Hailey            Fr.       (7-4)   .
285- Aaron Clayton           Fr.       (7-5)