CEDAR FALLS – UNI’s opening wrestling dual of the 2024-25 season on Sunday came down to criteria as the Panthers emerged victorious with a 16-15 win over the No. 13 South Dakota State Jackrabbits inside the UNI-Dome.
The Panthers and Jackrabbits evenly split the ten bouts with regular decision victories in all contests. Northern Iowa’s win improves its all-time record against SDSU to 41-6-1 and marks the sixth time it has beaten the Jackrabbits under head coach Doug Schwab, including the first time since 2021.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kyle Gollhofer kicked off the action at 125 pounds against No. 5/5 Tanner Jordan with the pair tying 4-4 after a full three periods. Gollhofer would ultimately fall to SDSU’s All-American in sudden victory by a 7-4 score.
Cory Land made his collegiate dual debut for the Panthers at 133 pounds, facing off against No. 24/27 Derrick Cardinal, picking up a 9-7 upset win, while sixth-ranked Cael Happel (141 pounds) overcame a scoreless first period to grab a 4-1 decision win over Julian Tagg.
Adam Allard (149 pounds) fell to Colin Dupill after grabbing an early lead in a 7-6 loss. At 157 pounds, reigning Big 12 champion Ryder Downey extended his regular season winning streak to 17 matches in an 8-1 win over No. 17/22 Cobe Siebrecht.
Jack Thomsen battled No. 25/28 Drake Rhodes at 165 pounds, rallying late from an early deficit with a second period escape and takedown before ultimately falling by a score of 12-7. At 174 pounds, Jared Simma challenged All-American and defending Big 12 champion Cade DeVos with a takedown and three escapes, but came up short in a 7-6 loss.
In the showdown between a pair of 184 pound All-Americans last season, No. 2/2 Parker Keckeisen and No. 4/4 Bennett Berge entered the second period scoreless. Keckeisen then secured two takedowns on his way to an 8-3 decision, marking his 32nd regular season win dating back to last season.
No.15 Wyatt Voelker drops his 197 pound bout against No. 28/26 Luke Rasmussen following a scoreless first period. The pair finished with a 4-3 regular decision giving the Jackrabbits a 15-12 lead in team scoring heading into the final matchup of the afternoon. Making his first dual start at heavyweight, Lance Runyon grabbed a late first period takedown on No. 28/26 Luke Rasmussen, later adding a reversal and another takedown for a 7-2 win, helping the Panthers secure an advantage in criteria to win the dual by one point.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 26 as they battle No. 9 Missouri in dual action at Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. Live coverage of the dual can be found of UFC Fight Pass with a subscription, as well as TrackWrestling for live results.
OFFICIALS – Jake Frias, Craig Blike
ATTENDANCE – 3,307
FINAL RESULTS (Intermat / FloWrestling rankings listed)
No. 14 UNI 16, No. 13 SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 15
*** Panthers win on criteria
125 | #5/5 Tanner Jordan (SDSU) dec. Kyle Gollhofer (UNI), 7-4 SV-1
133 | Cory Land (UNI) dec. #24/27 Derrick Cardinal (SDSU), 9-7
141 | #6/6 Cael Happel (UNI) dec. Julian Tagg (SDSU), 4-1
149 | Colin Dupill (SDSU) dec. Adam Allard (UNI), 7-6
157 | #6/6 Ryder Downey (UNI) dec. #17/22 Cobe Siebrecht (SDSU), 8-1
165 | #25/28 Drake Rhodes (SDSU) dec. #30/27 Jack Thomsen (UNI), 12-7
174 | #3/3 Cade DeVos (SDSU) dec. #19/14 Jared Simma (UNI), 7-6
184 | #2/2 Parker Keckeisen (UNI) dec. #4/4 Bennett Berge (SDSU), 8-3
197 | #8/12 Zach Glazier (SDSU) dec. #15/19 Wyatt Voelker (UNI), 4-3
HWT | Lance Runyon (UNI) dec. #28/26 Luke Rasmussen (SDSU), 7-2