Iowa Wrestling Weekend That Was: Iowa State’s David Carr, UNI’s Parker Keckeisen claim Big 12 titles

National championship events commenced for some college programs last week, while the Big Ten and Big 12 Championships helped fill part of the brackets for NCAA Division I Championships in a little more than a week in Tulsa, Okla. This is the wrestling weekend that was:

ISU’s Carr, UNI’s Keckeisen claim notable titles

David Carr joined exclusive company in Iowa State’s hallowed wrestling program Sunday night. He captured the 165-pound title to become a four-time Big 12 Conference champion in the modern era of the league from 1997 to present.

Carr is the Cyclones’ second four-time conference titlist, joining undefeated Cael Sanderson, who completed the feat in 2002.

“I don’t put a lot of pressure on wrestling,” said Carr, noting that he is guided more by his faith in a post-finals interview with FloWrestling.com. “It’s just a wrestling match to me. It’s just a sport. Really, my emphasis is giving glory to God, being a light and having a lot of fun.”

Top-ranked Carr closed the title run impressively. He wrestled Missouri’s No. 2 Keegan O’Toole in a battle of NCAA champions in the tournament finale.

O’Toole led 1-0 after two periods. Carr responded with an escape and takedown before O’Toole’s escape and a late stalling call against Carr tied the match, 3-3. In sudden victory, Carr secured the winning takedown with a cradle and continued for a pin in 7:38.

“It’s a good battle,” said Carr, a 2021 national champion who also beat O’Toole, 7-2, in a dual to close the regular season. “We were the last match here. Last match for the dual. I think the fans like it. We’re two national champs scrapping.”

Carr’s performance earned Outstanding Wrestler honors of the championship, becoming the sixth Cyclone to win the award. He was joined by teammate Paniro Johnson atop the awards stand. Johnson won the 149-pound title, beating a Missouri foe as well. Johnson scored three takedowns to defeat top-seeded Brock Mauler, 10-4, in the final.

In addition to Carr and Johnson, Zach Redding (133), Casey Swiderski (141), Jason Kraisser (157), Marcus Coleman at 184, Yonger Bastida (197) and heavyweight Sam Schuyler earned automatic NCAA bids.

Parker Keckeisen produced a first for UNI while extending the Panthers’ dominance over the conference’s 184 weight class. Keckeisen used two first-period takedowns to beat Coleman, 6-2, in the championship bout to become UNI’s first three-time Big 12 champion.

The second-ranked junior has won three straight at the weight, adding to previous titles from Taylor Lujan (2020) and Drew Foster (2018-19) for six consecutive crowns at the weight for UNI.

With the win and Coleman’s previous win over Penn State’s Aaron Brooks, Keckeisen has a chance to receive the top seed at the NCAA tournament March 16-18 back at the BOK Center in Tulsa.

The two-time All-American was one of five automatic NCAA qualifiers. He was joined by Kyle Biscoglia (133), Colin Realbuto (149), Austin Yant at 165 and heavyweight Tyrell Gordon to advance. Biscoglia and Gordon each placed fourth.

Former Alburnett prep and South Dakota State’s Tanner Sloan finished runner-up at 197. He lost a 2-1 decision in tiebreaker-1 to Missouri’s Rocky Elam in the final. Sloan was able to secure a return trip to the national tournament.

Spencer Lee earns Big Ten honors

Iowa’s Spencer Lee won his third Big Ten Championships title Sunday at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. He defeated Liam Cronin, 8-2, in the final, outscoring his three opponents, 45-4, to extend his win streak to 55 straight.

Lee was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Year for the tournament and voted Big Ten Wrestler of the Year for the third time. He won the award in 2020 and 2021, joining Mark Ironside as the Hawkeyes’ only other three-time recipient. Ironside earned the season award from 1996-98.

NCWWC notes

In the first three years of the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, McKendree (Ill.) University reigned over the national event, winning each year.

North Central (Ill.) College snapped that streak, capturing the team title with 198 points in Cedar Rapids. The Cardinals were decked in “Fear the Bird” shirts as they hoarded post-tournament awards.

The Cardinals’ three-time 170-pound champion and four-time finalist Yelena Makoyed was named the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler and won the Gorriaran Award, posting four pins in 7:48.

North Central also boasted 15 All-Americans, placing each qualifier on the awards stand. The effort helped North Central Coach Joe Norton grab the tournament’s Coach of the Year honors.

McKendree still had plenty to celebrate, crowning three champions. Most notably, four-time champions in Emily Shilson (109) and 191-pounder Sydnee Kimber. The Bearcats’ Cam Guerin also won her third title, helping the team finish third behind runner-up King (Tenn.) University.

Grand View wins again

Grand View University won its 11th NAIA men’s wrestling team title Saturday in Wichita, Kan. The Vikings scored 206 points, beating Life (Ga.) University by 48 1/2.

Six Vikings reached the finals with Shea Ruffridge (141), Owen Braungardt (197) and heavyweight Greg Hagan winning championships. Ruffridge also beat Doane’s Baterdene Boldmaa, 6-5, in the semifinals. Ruffridge scored a last-second reversal after a restart with six ticks left to upset the three-time NAIA champion and snap his 100-match win streak, which ranked sixth all-time among all college divisions.