On Sunday, Jan. 29, the 15th-ranked UNI wrestling team hosted Oklahoma in the McLeod Center. The Panthers were coming off of a close loss to another Oklahoma school in Oklahoma State, so they were looking to bounce back. After a tough-fought day, the Panthers were able to do just that, defeating the Sooners 23-12.

The Sooners picked up the first victory of the day when Oklahoma’s Joey Prata defeated UNI’s Kyle Gollhofer by a 2-0 decision in the 125 pound weight class. This gave the team three points, and gave them an early lead against the Panthers. In the 133 pound weight class, Kyle Biscoglia got things going for the Panthers. He went up against Wyatt Henson and dominated. After two minutes, he took the victory via pin, and gained six points for the Panthers. 

In the 141 pound weight class, the Sooners got some more points. Cael Happel was defeated by Mosha Swartz in a 2-1 decision. This gained the Sooners three more points,  and three matches in, the two teams were evened up at six points each. There were plenty of matches to come, and it was the Panthers that began to dominate. 

Colin Realbuto got things going in the 149 pound weight class. He went up against Oklahoma’s John Wiley. Realbuto defeated Wiley in a 7-6 decision. Derek Holschlag won the 157 pound weight class by decision as well, defeating Jared Hill 4-1. Both of their victories added a total of six points for the Panthers  In the 165 pound weight class, Austin Yant came through with a big victory, defeating Alejandro Herrera-Rondon by major decision, 12-1. He gained four points for the Panthers. This was a string of 10 straight points for UNI, giving them a 16-6 lead over the Sooners. 

Going forward to the 174 pound weight class, the UNI’s Lance Runyon went up against Tate Picklo of Oklahoma. Picklo defeated Runyon by a 9-5 decision. In the 184 pound weight class, the UNI’s Parker Keckeisen defeated Keegan Moore by decision 4-1. The Panthers claimed another major decision victory when Noah Glaser defeated Carson Berryhill 9-1 in the 197 pound weight class. The day finished off with the 285 pound weight class. UNI’s Tyrell Gordon went up against Josh Heindselman. Heindelsman took the victory in the final match, 4-2. 

The totals from all of the matches went in favor of the Panthers, 23-12. The victory against the Sooners moved the Panthers to a 5-3 overall record and a 3-2 conference record. 

The Panthers get back on the mat on Friday, Feb. 3 when they go up against Cal Baptist at home in the McLeod Center. There are only a few weeks left in the regular season, so the Panthers will look to finish the year out strong.