Parker Keckeisen has ‘raised the standards’ for UNI wrestling

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa wrestling coach Doug Schwab urged fans to attend this season’s home duals.

The Panthers don’t host rival Iowa State or Big 12 Conference mainstays Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, but they do have one of the best wrestlers in the nation and a determined supporting cast.

“You can’t deny we have one of the best guys in the country that you get to watch,” Schwab said. “Now, we’re trying to bring a bunch of others along with that. You have one of the most entertaining wrestlers in the country. You’ve got to show up.”

Top-ranked Parker Keckeisen returns from a third straight All-America performance, reaching the 184-pound final at the NCAA Championships in March. He is one of four national qualifiers for a Panthers team that will have to fill some holes from last year’s squad that posted its fourth straight top-20 finish.

“We have some pretty good guys,” said Schwab, who flashed the picture of Keckeisen on the front of the media guide to onlookers at UNI’s annual media day at McLeod Center. “We lost some stalwarts that had multi-years but when you bring back a guy like that (Keckeisen) that certainly helps things in a lot of ways, because of how he lives, how he trains.

“I can’t give that guy enough props of how he raised the standards of our program.”

Keckeisen has been consistently elite for the Panthers since he stepped into the program. He owns a 74-5 career record with three Big 12 titles. Keckeisen placed third in each of his first two seasons before earning national runner-up honors. Keckeisen’s affirmation is to “get better today and the big man above will take care of the rest” and avoid dwelling on specific results.

“It’s the same goal,” Keckeisen said. “Raising the bar. Maybe increasing your standard a little each day. It’s kind of the same approach. Trust the process. Trust your coaches. Get better each day.”

Schwab praised Keckeisen for a relentless work ethic and the dedication to perfect his craft. He shows no sign of resting on his past achievements.

The Panthers were forced out of West Gym due to structural issues to the building. They were offered an alternative place to train that just didn’t fit the team’s needs. They found another site and transformed it for use. Schwab said they would be working and Keckeisen would show up to paint or take on other jobs. Keckeisen also was the one staying after to sweep up, despite being the most successful and accomplished on the team. A demonstration of his character.

“He’s the last guy on the mat and one of the first guys in,” Schwab said. “It’s every day. Not once in a while. I don’t know how you can’t pick up on that.

“I think it speaks volumes to who he is. It’s what he stands for and he continues to put it on display every day.”

Keckeisen has a passion for effort. He said likes to be hands on and possesses an eagerness to learn. It doesn’t matter whether it’s big skills or intricacies, Keckeisen thrives when he’s studying the sport.

“I enjoy learning that and if I continue to prove to get better,” Keckeisen said. “The drive is still there as long as I’m learning. I love to learn.”

Keckeisen will get a quick start to the season, wrestling in the Grand View Open this weekend. He is also slated to wrestle Penn State’s No. 2 Bernie Truax in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic next week. He wrestled in the event last season, but he’s getting a couple tune-up matches before the dual this year.

“I’m excited for it,” Keckeisen said. “I haven’t wrestled since the NCAAs. Go out there and see what skills that I’ve improved have helped and gotten better.”

Keckeisen joins Cael Happel (141), Lance Runyon at 174 and heavyweight Tyrell Gordon as returning national qualifiers.

Happel was a national alternate two seasons ago and reached the NCAAs last season, winning two matches and beating wrestlers that finished as All-Americans.

“It’s a lot of motivation for me to carry into the summer and take a good approach,” Happel said. “There isn’t a day that goes by where I feel like I don’t want to be here. … It’s all full-steam ahead right now, knowing I’m that good and I can be on that podium.”

Happel was 18-8 last year. He revisited the basics in the offseason and has grown as a wrestler and leader for the Panthers.

“I think this summer was getting back to who I was,” Happel said. “I think coming into college wrestling you think you have to change a lot of things and adapt. You really don’t. You just get really good at the things that got you really good. That was the main focus for me.”

Gordon is back for his sixth year afforded by the COVID season in 2020. He is a two-time NCAA qualifier and is ready to complete the mission of reaching the national awards stand.

“It came down to not getting what I wanted last year,” Gordon said. “Even if it wasn’t this year, but five or 10 years down the road, I didn’t want that regret that I didn’t come back and give it a shot.”

Former West Delaware prep Wyatt Voelker saw some action at 197 last season and is coming off a fifth-place finish at the Greco-Roman World Championships. He will compete for the spot with Kalob Runyon.

Former Union Community prep Jack Thomsen transferred from South Dakota State. He will be a contender for the 165-pound spot.

“These dudes have put a lot of time in,” Schwab said. “I’m looking forward to the product that we’re going to be putting out on the mat.”

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