Prairie's Witte commits to UNI

Other visits were unnecessary once Zach Witte stepped on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

The Cedar Rapids Prairie senior's experience sold him on the Panthers immediately. Witte verbally committed Wednesday to wrestle for UNI and head coach Doug Schwab.

"I enjoyed the visit so much," Witte said. "The coaching staff, the team, the way they practiced and all-around ... I could see myself going there so after I left I knew that's where I wanted to go."

Witte said he received interest from Northern Illinois, Iowa and Arizona State. He chose the Panthers, cancelling the rest of his visits. The camaraderie between the wrestlers, how they mesh with the staff and the attention and effort by the UNI coaches made an impression.

"There was a way the coaches helped every single kid in the room," Witte said. "They didn't just specialize on kids that were stars.

"Everone on the team seemed like a real good kid, too."

Witte is a two-time state champion and completed an undefeated junior season, posting a 39-0 record and winning the Class 3A 145-pound state championship. Witte was a state runner-up at 135 as a freshman.

Witte, ranked third in the nation by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine, plans to wrestle 152 for hius senior season, and expects to be at 149 for the Panthers. He has realized his goal of wrestling at college's highest level.

"Mainly knowing that you're goingn to be going up against the best," Witte said. "There are really tough kids in D-II and D-III obviously, but D-I is known for its toughness at the national level and I want to be a part of it."

Prairie Coach Blake Williams said that Witte has the style that could be successful at UNI with Schwab. Potential exists because Witte will be able to devote his time to wrestling year-round instead of playing multiple sports like in high school.

"He's not flashy, but he's got basics and always going at people," Williams said. "They'll like that in him.

"He never solely concentrated on wrestling, so sky's the limit for him."