STORM LAKE, IOWA – The UNI wrestling team captured five titles on Saturday as 11 Panthers visited Buena Vista University for the BVU Open.
Northern Iowa went a combined 37-3 during the tournament, racking up ten pins during the day, with titles won at 125, 141, 149, 184 and heavyweight.
Bowen Downey and Brandon Paez both cruised through the 125 pound bracket, each recording a pair of bonus point wins before tying for first place. Garret Rinken, meanwhile, took third place at 125 with two pins.
Freshman Carter Freeman won his first collegiate tournament title at 141 pounds, dominating the field with a perfect 4-0 record, including three technical falls. Connor Thorpe also captured first place at 149 pounds, pinning Joe Penchi of UW La Crosse in the championship bout in six minutes, ten seconds. Garrett Funk, meanwhile, bounced back to win the consolation bracket at 149 pounds.
At 184 pounds, CJ Walrath returned to the mat and earned a first-place finish, defeating three straight challengers from UW La Crosse en route to a 4-0 tournament record. Adam Ahrendsen also topped the heavyweight bracket, bookending his day with a pin to open his competition.
Carson Babcock claimed third place at 197 pounds, starting his tournament with a major decision victory followed by a pin in just 1 minute and 19 seconds. Grant Stromberg secured seventh place at heavyweight, notching two bonus point wins throughout the tournament.
UP NEXT
The Panthers return to action next Saturday, Dec. 14 as they host Nebraska-Kearney in dual competition inside the McLeod Center. Competition is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT, with live coverage available on FloWrestling and CFU Channel 15.
Tickets can be purchased online through the UNI Ticket Office, by calling 319-273-4849 or by email at tickets@uni.edu. Fans can receive free admission to the dual by donating a toy during the Panthers’ annual Toys For Tots drive at the gate.
UNI RESULTS (2024 BVU Open)
125 | Garret Rinken (3-1) | 3rd Place
W – Tyler Japp (Buena Vista), Fall 3:54
W – Grant Madl (UW La Crosse), MFF
L – Brandon Paez (UNI), 4-1 SV-1
W – Thomas Giere (UW La Crosse), Fall 4:12
125 | Bowen Downey (3-0) | T1st
W – Dominic Chimeno (Iowa Lakes), 22-5 TF
W – Inocencio Garcia (UW La Crosse), 5-3
W – Thomas Giere (UW La Crosse), 17-9 MD
125 | Brandon Paez (3-0) | T1st
W – Vincent Maryberry (Sioux Falls), 9-0 MD
W – Quintin Wolbert (UW La Crosse), 6:39 Fall
W – Garrett Rinken (UNI), 4-1 SV-1
141 | Carter Freeman (4-0) | 1st Place
W – Colby Lopez (Upper Iowa), 20-4 TF
W – Zachary Foote (Iowa State WC), 17-2 TF
W – Marcus McIntyre (UW La Crosse), 19-3 TF
W – Talan Schutte (UW Lacrosse), 7-3
149 | Garrett Funk (4-1) | 1st Place (Consolation)
W – Gary Walker III (Iowa Central), Fall 1:47
L – Bryce Brust (Southwestern Michigan), Fall 2:40
W – Ryan Griffin (Iowa Central), 19-3 TF
W – Easton Biladeau (Simpson), Fall 1:51
W – Owen Denstad (Unattached), 9-0 MD
149 | Connor Thorpe (4-0) | 1st Place
W – Joey Wilczek (Minnesota West), 19-2 TF
W – Owen Denstad (Upper Iowa), 6-5
W – Josh Cherba (UW La Crosse), 8-4
W – Joe Penchi (UW La Crosse), Fall 6:10
165 | Izzy Moreno (2-0) | DNP
W – Andrew Byerle (Southwestern Michigan), Fall 0:47
W – Robert Flege (UW La Crosse), 13-7
L – Nick Mueller (Upper Iowa), MFF
L – Luke Swanson (Sioux Falls), MFF
184 | CJ Walrath (4-0) | 1st Place
W – Caleb Helgeson (Iowa State), 5-2
W – Marcus Orlandoni (UW La Crosse), 10-3
W – Camren Dennee (UW Lacrosse), 11-3 MD
W – Tyler Dormanen (UW La Crosse), 2-1
197 | Carson Babcock (3-1) | 3rd Place
W – Derrick Steinke (Minnesota State), 16-6 MD
W – Reise Davis (Buena Vista), Fall 1:19
L – Ben Kawcznski (UW La Crosse), 4-1 SV-1
W – Gabe Carter (UW Lacrosse), 3-1
HWT | Grant Stromberg (3-2) | 7th Place
W – Kyle Oliveira (Iowa Central), 13-1 MD
W – Makota Misgen (Minnesota State), 6-2
L – Michael Douglas (UW La Crosse), Fall 6:35
L – Cody Kwak (Minnesota State), Fall 2:58
W – Aiden McFadden (Ellsworth), 17-2 TF
HWT | Adam Ahrendsen (4-0) | 1st Place
W – Tyreik Davison (Iowa Lakes), Fall 1:20
W – Xavier Bruening (Iowa State), 7-2
W – Paul Ballard (Iowa State), 10-0 MD
W – Michael Douglas (UW Lacrosse), Fall 1:47