Update: Hiatt commits to wrestle for UNI

Ballard senior wrestler Tanner Hiatt received a good vibe when he visited to the University of Northern Iowa.

The feeling that he left Cedar Falls with a few weeks ago was enough for him to realize he wanted to extend his wrestling career with the Panthers.

Hiatt confirmed with SourceMedia Group News that he orally committed to wrestle for UNI and first-year head coach Doug Schwab next year.

"It made me feel pretty good," said Hiatt, 18, who plans to study history. "There was like a family aspect and stuff. The team bonds real well together. Everyone gets a long."

Hiatt, a senior for the Bombers, is a two-time state finalist and three-time state placewinner, winning the Class 2A 140-pound state title in 2009 and placing third at 140 last season. He owns a 142-6 career record, going 50-0 in 2009.

Ballard head coach Jeff Weatherman said Hiatt's hard-nosed style and Schwab's presence at practice makes UNI a perfect spot.

"For Tanner, it's an ideal rooom with Coach Schwab being there. (Tanner's) size of athlete, so he has someone to beat him up all he time," Weatherman said with a laugh. "That's definitely a great advantage for him."

Hiatt said the coaches. most notably, assistant coach Randy Pugh and Schwab, were a big influences.

"I like the coaches. That was a huge deal," Hiatt said. "Our styles are really similar. (Schwab) and coach Pugh had a lot to do with me coming down."

Hiatt projects to be a 149-pounder in college, possibly growing to 157.  He said hge's willing to wrestle the weight the program needs him most.

"It depends wherever they need me at," Hiatt said. "It's up to them really.

Whichever weight he competes, the Panthers have landed a fighter. Weatherman, a former All-American for the Panthers, said Hiatt has the mentality to adjust and be successful at the collegiate level.

"I always thought a big transition for high school wrestlers to D-I wrestling is wanting to fight and compete at that level," Weatherman said. "I don't think it's going to be a difficult transition for Tanner. One of his most natural instincts is to go out there and fight."

Hiatt said he knows he has improvement to make improvements in different areas, but will rely on his toughness on the mat.

"I'll work on my technique and stuff, but having the will to not stop and to win and keep going and going until the other person breaks is just a bonus," Hiatt said. "That's what wins matches."

UNI and Iowa State were his top choices in wrestling and even received attention from NW Missouri State for football, according to Hiatt. He said he just had a better feel for the atmosphere at UNI, where he hopes to continue to improve personally as well as becoming an NCAA champion on a championship team.

"Just become a better person (and) become a national champion in wrestling," Hiatt said. "Keep moving forward. Learn from experiences and I'll know from there."

Hiatt's decision seems to be another in a trend of wrestling recruits. He is the third in-state wrestler to choose UNI over Iowa State since August. Former Clear Lake state champion and Iowa Central NJCAA 125-pound national champion Joe Colon reportedly chose the Panthers' scholarship offer over one from the Cyclones. Waverly-Shell Rock two-time state champion Cody Krumwiede decided on UNI after official visits to Cedar Falls, Iowa State and Nebraska. Now, Hiatt, who competes about 10 miles away from Ames, has decided to go to UNI.