UNI wrestler Jared Simma makes every second count

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa’s dual win against then-No. 17 West Virginia last Sunday was the type that can have a lasting effect.

A last-second, match-winning takedown from Jared Simma at 174 pounds and sudden victory by Tyrell Gordon at heavyweight headlined a dramatic dual that the Panthers won, 26-12.

For Simma, the win improved his match record to 10-5 in what’s been his first season as UNI’s regular starter at 174 pounds.

“(Simma) gets an escape and a takedown in the last seconds — I was trying to think when we kind of had a last-second score like that. I think it’s been a while,” UNI coach Doug Schwab said. “He’s won a couple matches late and it’s just confidence. You see him growing.”

Simma’s win was a complete team effort, too, as trainer Frank Baker helped the redshirt sophomore in more ways than one during the downtime of a challenge review late in the match’s third period.

“Our trainer Frank does an incredible job of when guys are out there and you got blood time or you got something going on, he does an incredible job of getting guys’ focus back,” Schwab said. “Just talking to them calm and getting their breathing under control. So, when you have an extension of your staff like that, that’s critical. You have everyone pushing in the same direction.”

Simma acknowledged Baker’s importance during the match and those contributions provoked him to describe how close knit this Panthers team is.

“This (team) is full of some bad (dudes),” Simma said. “I know every single one of us has each other’s back. When you have that feeling with people behind your back like that, nothing can stop you. It’s just crazy how close we are as a group.”

Next up for UNI (5-5, 4-1 Big 12) is a Friday night dual at Cal Baptist (4-8, 1-5), followed is its annual rivalry dual at Iowa State (11-2, 4-1) Sunday.

The Cyclones have won eight of their 12 duals against Schwab’s Panthers, and the 14th-year coach acknowledged this week that his team is the underdog on paper.

“Obviously, on paper, we’re going to have to beat some guys we’re not supposed to beat. We’re going to have to upset some guys,” Schwab said. “But, like I talked to the team, it’s not an upset. You plan on doing it. You’re preparing to do it. I know I’m looking forward to that meet. Especially when it’s the only in-state meet we get to wrestle.”

Sunday’s dual at Hilton Coliseum (1 p.m., ESPN+) offers the the 30th-ranked Simma his first experience in the storied rivalry. The Shawnee, Kan., native will face a formidable opponent in No. 19 MJ Gaitan who’s established himself as one of the weight class’ top freshmen (Gaitan is a redshirt freshman) with a 14-5 record this season.

“Iowa is one of the toughest states in the country for wrestling, so when you come to Iowa, Iowa State or UNI you’re going to go out there and compete and you’re going to wrestle tough competition,” Simma said. “As a little kid, (wrestling in) Iowa was the stepping stone.”