By Mary Larsh, Columnist
Denney Crabaugh, baseball coach, sparked cheers from a student-filled audience during the men’s wrestling team’s dual Jan. 25. Crabaugh riled up student athletes during the team’s final home dual against the University of Central Oklahoma in Henry J. Freede Wellness Center
UCO wrestlers led the dual during the beginning. After the first three matches, Crabaugh said he was finished with the audience’s lackluster school spirit.
He told the athletes to get on their feet and cheer for Nik Turner, senior wrestler, who was scheduled to hit the mat next.
“The wrestling team supports every other team,” Crabaugh said. “It’s about time we support them.”
From then until the end of the match, Craubaugh kept student athletes fired up by leading the section with chanting, cheering and clapping.
With the assistance of the audience’s chanting, Turner won his match with a score of 12-6.
“It was a great match against a quality opponent,” Crabaugh said.
Crabaugh continued encouraging students to support the wrestling team until the end of the dual, when the team won 19-18.
Taylor Howard, kinesiology junior, said she could tell by Crabaugh’s vocalization that he appreciated the support that the wrestling teams give at athletic events.
“He encouraged the fans to show the support that those guys show every sport on campus,” she said.
I love it! Way to be present and gather the news, Mary. I appreciate Denney for igniting the crowd. Oh, and congrats to Nik!