Ranked 16th in the country, the UNI wrestling team traveled south to challenge second-ranked Oklahoma State University, taking on the coveted opportunity to escape the frozen tundra that has recently been the Midwest.

The purple and gold walked away with three wins highlighted by Taylor Lujan, ranked no. 8 nationally in the 174-pound weight class, taking down, no. 5 Joe Smith with a 5-4 decision.

Additionally, Josh Alber, ranked sixth in the country at the 141-pound weight class, defeated no. 12 Kaid Brock with a 4-3 decision.

Bryce Steiert, No. 12 in the 165-pound weight class, added a third win for the Panthers, handling no. 23, Andrew Shomers.

Prior to the matchup, head coach Doug Schwab said, “[We] got a big opportunity this weekend with Oklahoma State, the highest-ranked team. Obviously, in the Big 12, that’s the type of team that were going to have to be able to beat. I mean those are the type of teams, if you want to be one of the best teams in the country, you’ve got to be able to beat the best teams in the country.”

The Panthers weren’t able to take down Oklahoma State in the end, however they will have one more opportunity to face a top 25 team in the regular season when they take on Iowa State (no. 14 as of Jan. 29) in the final home match for the Panthers on Thursday, Feb. 21.

UNI drops to 5-5 on the season along with losing their perfect record of 5-0 against Big 12 teams after falling 24-9 to the Cowboys. Oklahoma State remains undefeated at 11-0 this season with the win.

Up next, a chance to bounce back presents itself when the Panthers go out west to clash with the Utah Valley Wolverines on Saturday, Feb. 9.