Iowa State pushes six into the semifinals of the Big 12 Wrestling Championships

Big guys recorded big wins for Iowa State.

The performance from the upper weights helped carry the Cyclones.

Iowa State advanced six into the semifinals, including four in the five heaviest weights, of the Big 12 Wrestling Championships at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. The Cyclones were in third place with 52 1/2 points after the first session, trailing Missouri (87 1/2) and Oklahoma State (71 1/2). Northern Iowa was sixth with three semifinalists.

Iowa State’s top-seeded and former NCAA champion David Carr (165) and 184-pounder Marcus Coleman posted technical falls in the quarterfinals. Carr handled UNI’s Austin Yant, 21-6. Coleman was just as impressive, dropping Air Force’s Noah Blake 20-5.

Cyclones All-American Yonger Bastida opened with a 24-9 technical fall over Wyoming’s Tyce Raddon before beating Utah Valley’s Evan Bockman by decision in the quarterfinals.

They were joined in the semifinals by heavyweight Sam Schuyler, who blanked UNI’s Tyrell Gordon, 6-0, in the quarterfinals. Zach Redding (133) and 149-pounder Paniro Johnson also reached the semifinals for Iowa State.

Redding, Johnson, Carr, Bastida and Schuyler have secured automatic NCAA berths.

Top-seeded Parker Keckeisen (184) and second-seeded pair of Kyle Biscoglia (133) and 149-pounder Colin Realbuto made the semifinals for UNI. All three earned major decisions to advance.

Parker Keckeisen is looking for his third straight Big 12 title, looking to give the Panthers six straight conference crowns at 184.