University of Northern Iowa determined to continue success from last season

CEDAR FALLS – Doug Schwab doesn’t want University of Northern Iowa to be a one-hit wonder.

His vision has always been for a consistent program that ranks among the nation’s best. Not one that dips into the top-10 just once a decade. Think Foo Fighters over Smash Mouth.

The Panthers are coming off a memorable season, placing ninth at the NCAA Wrestling Championships with 10 qualifiers two All-Americans and second at the Big 12 tournament with three titlists. The goal is to make that the norm and not an anomaly.

“I’m trying to make sure it’s not a once in a while thing,” Schwab said during UNI’s annual media day. “It’s an every year thing. You have to reload. You’ve got to get guys, if guys like Parker (Keckeisen) or (Cael) Happel graduate, you have someone ready to step in.

“They understand how to do that because those guys showed them. I can tell you I like the progress of our team.”

UNI placed ninth last season for its first top-10 finish in Division I since 1968. The Panthers won 14 dual victories for the most since 1991 and climbed to fourth in the coaches’ dual rankings since 1988. They also were one match away from winning its first Big 12 title.

The focus is on what lies ahead and not the road already traveled.

“I think every year is different,” said UNI heavyweight Wyatt Voelker, who was a Big 12 champion and NCAA qualifier at 197 pounds last season. “Last year was fun. We had a great team, obviously. You can only look in the rear view mirror a little bit. You have a rear view mirror that’s this (small) and the windshield is big. You’re looking into that.

“The future is really big for this team. I don’t think we’re going to try to do what we did last year. I think we’re going to try to do something new. We have big goals.”

UNI has lots of experience and depth. Voelker is among six NCAA qualifiers back, joining Trever Anderson (125), Julian Farber (133), Ryder Downey, who has moved up from 157 to 165, Jack Thomsen (165) and Jared Simma at 174. Anderson, Downey, Simma and Voelker have all finished one win shy All-American status.

“We have four guys who have been to the round of 12 (and) maybe a second, a position, away from being on the stand,” said Schwab, who begins his 16 th season leading the Panthers. “There’s a big hump to get over as a team. We did some of those things last year. We performed well at the Big 12s, NCAAs, getting into the single digits for our team. So there were some really good things for us to build off of.”

New faces will have a chance to contribute. Nick Fox and C.J. Walrath will be among the competitors to take over at 184, trying to extend the success of Panthers Drew Foster, Taylor Lujan and Keckeisen.

Cory Land has moved to 141 after contending for the 133 spot before injuries derailed him last season. John Gunderson is back and factors into the upper weights as well.

“I think we’re going to surprise some people,” Downey said. “We’ve got some good guys people really haven’t heard of. It’s exciting to introduce those guys to the lineup and introduce those guys to the rest of the country.”

UNI also welcomes former Iowa wrestler Caleb Rathjen in the middle weights. Rathjen was an NCAA qualifier at 149 in 2024 for the Hawkeyes. Schwab said Rathjen is acclimating to the new program and trust is being built between coaches and competitor.

“He’s zeroing in,” Schwab said. “He’s very athletic. When you have both hands up and your feet aren’t moving, you’re not very athletic. So, trying to get him back to where he’s using some of those things.”

With the graduation of Keckeisen and Happel, UNI lost talent on the mat but anchors off the mat. They were consummate team leaders. Schwab pointed to Downey and Farber as wrestlers looking to take the baton and serve that role.

“I try to live that way – live, train and bring others along,” said Farber, who was 18-8 last season. “I hope guys take that in and learn to make it more of a competition of who’s doing more.”

Farber and Downey have been leaders by example but have tried to become more vocal. They both were captains last season as a junior and sophomore, respectively.

“What it means is their peers are seeing what they’re doing and how they’re living,” Schwab said. “You have to be able to lead in your own terms.

“There is a standard that needs to be met. If the standard’s not met then those guys need to be the ones addressing it. ... They’re doing a pretty good job doing it. They’re captains for a reason.”

UNI has components for another successful season. The Panthers have put in time and work throughout the offseason, looking to reload. Schwab has been pleased with their devotion to being better.

“Our guys have been coming in with a purpose,” Schwab said. “This preseason, I’ve probably been as happy with our training as I can say in any year. Just how well they’re working together, collaborating and that’s how you cover ground.

“You fill the shoes because you have guys behind them and they’re tirelessly working. They’ve committed to something bigger than themselves.”

UNI opens the season Nov.9 at the Journeyman Wrestling Collegiate Classic in Bethlehem, Penn. The Panthers first home dual is Nov. 23 against North Dakota State in the McLeod Center.

Coach: Doug Schwab (16th season, 127-79)

Last season: 14-1 in duals (7-1 in Big 12); second in Big 12 tournament; 9th in NCAA Championships.

Key returners: Wyatt Voelker, heavyweight; Ryder Downey, 165 pounds; Julian Farber, 133; Cory Land, 141, Jack Thomsen, 165; Jared Simma, 174; Trever Anderson, 125.

Schedule highlights: Nov. 9 — Journeyman Wrestling Collegiate Classic in Bethlehem, Pa. (season opener); Nov. 15 — at National Duals in Tulsa, Okla.; Nov. 23 — North Dakota State, 1 p.m. (home dual opener); Jan. 3-4 — at Soldier Saluate in Coralville; Jan. 9-10 — hosting National Dual Meet Championships at UNI-Dome; Feb. 15 — at Iowa State, 7 p.m.; March 6-7 at Big 12 Championships in Tulsa, Okla.; March 19-21 —at NCAA Championships in Cleveland, Ohio.

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