RIVERSIDE, Calif.— The UNI wrestling team made the most of its first-ever road trip to Cal Baptist on Friday night, securing a 36-9 dual victory over the Lancers at Van Dyne Gymnasium for its fifth Big 12 win of the year and third straight.
After dropping the opening bout of the night, the Panthers rattled off seven consecutive wins, including six in a row in bonus points to improve to 6-5 overall this season in duals. Northern Iowa also improved to 2-0 in its short series history with Cal Baptist.
Kaleb Olejniczak made his collegiate dual debut to open Friday night’s action at 157 pounds against Chaz Hallmark building an early lead after a first period takedown. The junior would pick up big back points on a takedown and four-point nearfall in the second period to build a 10-3 lead, but would ultimately come up short as Hallmark secured the pin with just under a minute to go in the final frame.
RJ Weston (165 pounds) put the Panthers on the board against Mateo de la Pena with a pair of takedowns in the second frame after a scoreless opening period. Weston would tack on an escape, a third takedown and riding time to secure the 11-1 major decision for his 21st victory of the season and first major decision of the year.
At 174 pounds, Jared Simma struck quickly against Peter Acciardi with a first period takedown and two-point nearfall. After a pair of takedowns in the second period, Simma dominated the third frame to finish off a 17-2 technical fall win, his third of the year.
Top-ranked Parker Keckeisen (184 pounds) extended his regular season winning streak to 32 matches in commanding fashion, roaring back after giving up an early takedown to Nathan Haas in the opening minutes. The three-time All-American would grab another takedown paired with an escape and continued on the offense to tally a 17-5 major decision. Keckeisen’s win marks the third consecutive year that the Glendale, Wisconsin native has recorded 20+ victories.
Wyatt Voelker (197 pounds) was dominant from start to finish in an impressive 15-0 technical fall against Eli Sheeren, wrapping up the match in just three minutes thanks to an early takedown and three separate four-point nearfalls. Tyrell Gordon would keep the momentum rolling for UNI at heavyweight pinning Christopher Island in just 86 seconds, his quickest fall of the season. Gordon, who grabbed his second pin of the year, improves to 3-0 all-time against Island after meeting in dual competition and the Big 12 Championships in 2023.
Trever Anderson turned what looked to be a tough loss to #22 Elijah Griffin into a stunning upset at 125 pounds. After falling behind 9-3 to Cal Baptist’s highest ranked competitor, Anderson went on the attack in the final minute of regulation and pinned Griffin for his third fall of the year. Julian Farber, meanwhile, rallied late against Hunter Leake at 133 pounds, scoring a go-ahead takedown in the final seconds for an 8-6 decision victory.
Connor Thorpe made his collegiate dual debut against Darren Green and battled his 141-pound challenger to a scoreless first period. Thorpe, a two-time open tournament medalist this season and champion at the Jim Koch Open, would take a 1-0 lead in the second period, but would come up short after Green tied the match with a third-period escape and takedown in overtime for the 4-1 sudden victory.
Adam Allard would close the night out for the Panthers at 149 pounds by snapping a three-match skid against Dayne Morton. Following a scoreless opening frame and a dominant period of riding in the second period, Allard took a 1-0 lead to begin the third period and evaded an offensive minded Morton in the final two minutes for a 2-0 win with riding time.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to Iowa and will face off against in-state rival in No. 4 Iowa State on Sunday afternoon in Ames. Competition is slated to begin at 1p.m. CT at Hilton Coliseum with live coverage available on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.
FINAL RESULTS (NCAA) #Intermat/FloWrestling rankings listed
#17 UNI 36, CAL BAPTIST 9
157 | Chaz Hallmark (CBU) pins Kaleb Olejniczak (UNI), Fall 6:04
165 | RJ Weston (UNI) maj. dec. Mateo De La Pena (CBU), 11-1 MD
174 | (27) #30/30 Jared Simma (UNI) tech falls Peter Acciardi (CBU), 17-2 TF [7:00]
184 | (1) #1/1 Parker Keckeisen (UNI) maj. dec. Nathan Haas (CBU), 17-5 MD
197 | (20) #23/20 Wyatt Voelker (UNI) tech falls Eli Sheeren (CBU), 15-0 TF [3:00]
HWT | #16/15 Tyrell Gordon (UNI) pins Christopher Island (CBU), 1:26 Fall
125 | (27) #NR/29 Trever Anderson (UNI) pins (22) #27/26 Elijah Griffin (CBU), Fall 6:15
133 | (17) #24/20 Julian Farber (UNI) dec. Hunter Leake (CBU), 8-6
141 | Darren Green (CBU) dec. Connor Thorpe (UNI), 4-1 SV-1
149 | Adam Allard (UNI) dec. Dayne Morton (CBU), 2-0
