UNI wrestling bounces back with win over Oklahoma

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa bounced back from a 19-17 home dual loss to 10th-ranked Oklahoma State Saturday night with a 23-12 dual win against Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon at McLeod Center.

Eleventh-ranked Kyle Biscoglia began the Panthers' successful afternoon with a pin in 1 minute, 59 seconds over Wyatt Henson at 133 pounds. Biscoglia’s pin ultimately gave No. 15 UNI (6-3, 3-2) an early lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“A short turnaround, but, to me, that's what great teams do. That’s what great competitors do,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said. “If we’re gritty like we say we are then (today) is exactly how you respond.

“We got some bonus points in some situations that (were) critical — (Biscoglia) getting a pin (and) getting a major (decision) at 197. Bonus points are key to winning dual meets.”

Driven by a pair of third-period takedowns, 12th-ranked Colin Realbuto earned a 9-6 win at 149 against 18th-ranked Mitch Moore. At 157, Derek Holschlag extended UNI’s lead to 12-6 with a 4-1 decision over Jared Hill.

After intermission, the Panthers earned more bonus points when 12th-ranked Austin Yant got a 12-1 major decision against Alejandro Herrera-Rodon. Yant’s win improved his record to 14-1 this season and grew UNI’s lead to 16-6.

“(With) Yant it’s rough how things went last night (against Oklahoma State) and he could have felt sorry for himself. He, in no way shape or form, did that,” Schwab said.

Lance Runyon fell short at 174, 9-5, to Tate Picklo, but at 184 No. 1 Parker Keckeisen got past former Panther Keegan Moore, 4-1, with a second-period takedown, a penalty point and riding time.

At 197, UNI’s Noah Glaser — who sat in favor of freshman Wyatt Voelker in Saturday night’s dual against Oklahoma State — earned a major decision with a 9-1 victory over Carson Berryhill.

“I think guys came out ready and refocused,” Schwab said. “You have to be able to turn the page, so to speak. Glaser came out and he responded and basically, to me, he’s like ‘I’m going to show you coach (that) I should be the guy.’ That’s what it should be.

“Those are really the kind of responses you want to see.”

UNI returns to action Friday at McLeod Center against Cal Baptist (2-9, 1-4).