The UNI wrestling team was back in action on Friday, Feb. 3, in the McLeod Center, as they welcomed the new Big 12 affiliate California Baptist Lancers to Cedar Falls. UNI put forward its most dominant effort of the season, winning the dual 44-0, with four pins and two major decisions. All 10 Panther wrestlers won their matches.

UNI came into this match 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Big 12 conference duals following a 23-12 win over Oklahoma. UNI is ranked at No. 14 in the NWCA Coaches’ Poll. Cal Baptist came into the match 2-10 overall and 1-5 in Big 12 conference action, but having won one of its last two duals.

First, in the 125-pound weight class, Kyle Gollhofer started the Panthers off right with a 12-2 major decision. The Panthers cemented their momentum by following the major decision with three straight pins. First, at 133 pounds, Kyle Biscoglia pinned his opponent in a mere 2:37. At 141 pounds, Cael Happel pinned his opponent in 5:52. Finally, at 149 pounds, Colin Realbuto got the fall in 2:55. This gave UNI a 22-0 lead.

Derek Holschlag faced the closest match of the first half for UNI in the 157-pound class, winning by decision 5-2. Austin Yant continued his season’s dominant run in the 165-pound class, improving to 15-1 on the season with a 6-3 decision. At 174 pounds, Lance Runyon snagged the Panthers’ fourth pin of the day with the quickest time, getting the fall in 2:13. This brought UNI’s lead up to 34-0.

Parker Keckeisen won UNI’s other major decision 18-7 in the 184-pound class. In the 195-pound class, Noah Glaser faced UNI’s toughest test of the dual, ultimately holding on for a 4-2 decision. Finally, at 285 pounds, Tyrell Gordon shut out his opponent in a 4-0 decision to complete the 44-0 shutout of the Lancers.

This was UNI’s first shutout since November of 2016 against Nebraska-Kearney. It was UNI’s eighth dual under head coach Doug Schwab in which they scored 40 or more points. Schwab used this win to move up the UNI leaderboards for all time wins, moving up to third-most in Panther history as he broke a tie with former coach Dave McCaskey.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, UNI travels to West Virginia to face a tough Mountaineer team. The Panthers return to the McLeod Center on Friday, Feb. 10, to face the third-ranked Iowa State Cyclones and conclude Big 12 regular season competition. Their regular season finale is set for Saturday, Feb. 18, against the Wisconsin Badgers.