University of Northern Iowa seniors close home competition against intrastate rival Iowa State

CEDAR FALLS – University of Northern Iowa Coach Doug Schwab recalled a mantra of current Panther seniors.

They were determined to make the program better than it was when they joined it. As far as Schwab is concerned, mission accomplished.

“We’ve got a really good team,” said Schwab, who is in his 15th season leading the Panthers. “Bottom line, we have one of the best teams I’ve had since I’ve been here. These next six weeks they’ll cement their history.”

Fourth-ranked UNI will honor the class that helped elevate the wrestling program to its highest ranking in 37 years when it hosts rival No. 14 Iowa State for Senior Day Sunday at the McLeod Center.

“You guys talk about this senior class and what a hell of a senior class,” Schab said. “Some of the things that they’ve done. They’ve raised the level of the program. No doubt they have.”

NCAA champion and four-time All-American Parker Keckeisen and two-time NCAA qualifier Lance Runyon are two of the super seniors, who returned for an extra season available from the Covid-shortened season.

Schwab noted that current Panthers were present for the announcement the 2020 national tournament was canceled, preventing those seniors competing. They know the disappointment of having the chance to wrestle stripped from them and have tried to make the most of added eligibility.

“I think of how they’ve taken it, how they’ve used it and what they’ve done with that extra year,” Schwab said. “That’s what they’re doing right now because some of those guys wouldn’t have that.

“Those guys in the lineup got that opportunity for another year to grow and another year to advance our program. Here’s where we’re at.”

UNI has arrived at its Senior Day, honoring Keckeisen, Runyon, former Lisbon four-time state champion and two-time NCAA qualifier Cael Happel, Colin Realbuto, Evan Yant, Wade Mitchell, Adam Allard and Kaleb Olejniczak with Iowa State coming to town.

The Panthers are 12-1 overall and 6-1 in the Big 12 Conference. The lone loss was to No. 2 Oklahoma State. UNI tied its highest ranking in the National Wrestling Coaches Association dual-team poll. The Panthers were previously ranked fourth in February of 1988.

“I know they’re proud of it,” Schwab said. “They said they’re not going to leave it in the same place and they haven’t.”

Second-ranked Keckeisen has been a gigantic part of the Panthers success. Individually, he is a two-time national finalist and is the reigning 184-pound champion. He placed third in his first two NCAA Championships.

Keckeisen is as humble and loyal off the mat as he is aggressive and relentless on it. The offensive dynamo has endeared himself to Panthers fans and college wrestling fans, in general. He is 123-5 in his career, including an 18-0 mark this season.

“The dude’s one of the greatest UNI wrestlers in history,” Schwab said. “No matter what happens the rest of the year you can’t dispute it. It’s just fact. I know he doesn’t like hearing those things.

“This is something you shouldn’t take for granted. This is something you should come out and support.

“If you can’t get behind this guy, I don’t know who the hell you’re going to get behind because of how he does it, how he trains and how he lives.”

Keckeisen has been a consummate leader by example, working to be a little more vocal this year. His teammates have been impacted by his efforts, whether it’s doing grunt work at the Panthers’ off-campus training facility or the way he trains in practice.

“It’s like wrestling a grizzly bear,” Former West Delaware two-time state champion and UNI 197-pounder Wyatt Voelker said about wrestling Keckeisen. “He’s brutal. There’s a reason he’s so good. He puts in more time than anybody I’ve ever seen. You try to mimic that (but) he’s literally after practice every day. There’s times they have to kick him out of the room.”

Schwab was asked about kicking back and relishing Keckeisen’s final matches. He laughed and said Keckeisen didn’t need his help anymore. He said he trusts the team and just provides advice.

“I have a lot of joy in my opportunity to coach all these guys, especially some like him (Keckeisen),” Schwab said. “I’ve seen how he’s raised the level of the program. I’ve seen what he’s done on a consistent daily basis and our guys have seen it, too.

“Nothing’s been given to him. He’s earned every bit of it.”

The senior class is still looking for its first win over Iowa State (11-4, 5-1). The Panthers have not beaten the Cyclones since a 22-13 victory in the now demolished West Gym on Feb. 21, 2019.

“Coming into Iowa State, it’s a rivalry dual,” Schwab said. “We’re in-state rivals. It’s awesome. It’s one of the things you look forward to. For me, it’s one of those dates on the calendar you look forward to. Not that you don’t look forward to all of them but we only get to wrestle one in-state team.

“The last few years they’ve done a good job. They found a way to win some of those duals. Found a way to win a match I thought we were going to win that match and they won it and kind of swung things on their side.”

Schwab said he hasn’t forgotten how long it’s been since the last time the Panthers won in this series. He also said his wrestlers don’t need any extra motivation. Schwab does want to inspire more than 7,000 fans to fill the McLeod Center and send off the seniors’ last home event.

“This senior class has earned it,” Schwab said. “They’ve earned to have a packed house. Let’s send this senior class off the right way. I know how they’re going to go and compete. Looking forward to it and that’s an understatement.”

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