On Sunday, Nov. 20, The UNI wrestling team traveled to Brookings, S.D. to compete in the Daktronics Open. The Panthers performed well, having four guys come away with titles, and they racked up 14 total medals on the day.

In the first couple weight classes, UNI’s wrestlers performed well. In the 125 pound weight class, Kyle Gollhofer placed fifth, and Kyle Biscoglia placed third in the 133 pound weight class. In the next weight class, 141 pounds, UNI took its first title. Cael Happel was the one that got it done. He went 4-0, winning two matches by fall, one by major decision and the title match in a very close 8-6 victory.

UNI claimed another title in the 149 pound class. Colin Realbuto won several close ones on the way to the championship. His biggest victory was by major decision, 13-4, but the rest were not quite as easy. Other victories came with scores 3-1, 9-4 and an 8-5 victory for the title. 

The Panthers dominated in the 157 pound class. Wade Mitchell took fourth place, but that was only the third best finish in the class for UNI. In fact, the Panthers had two wrestlers going head to head in the championship. Derek Holschlag defeated Evan Yant by major decision in the final match. UNI had the first, second and fourth place finishers in the class.

The same thing happened in the 165 pound class as well, with two Panthers going up against each other for the title. The match showed Austin Yant going up against Cayd Lara. Both of the wrestlers were 3-0 going into the match, and Austin Yant came out victorious, by a 12-3 major decision.

While Austin Yant was the final title winner for the Panthers, they had several more wrestlers perform well in other weight classes. In the 174 pound class, UNI had two medalists, with Jared Simma getting fifth, and Carson Babcock placing sixth. In the 195 pound class, Noah Glaser came up just short, losing in the title match by fall at nearly five minutes. In the same class, Kalob Runyon placed fourth. UNI’s final medalist came in the 285 pound class, where Tyrell Gordon placed third.

Overall, it was a good day for the Panthers. UNI wrestles next at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3.